Stephen Christopher Vogt is a former professional baseball catcher and first baseman. While he had a relatively short MLB career from 2013-2019, Vogt established himself as a fan favorite known for his hearty smiles and scrappy playing style. As a late bloomer who didn’t make his MLB debut until age 30, Vogt’s career path and perseverance made him a feel-good story for baseball fans. Due to his memorable tenure with the Oakland Athletics franchise and starring role in their 2013 playoff run, Vogt remains a popular figure among collectors today who seek his baseball cards.
Born in 1981 in Visalia, California, Vogt was not drafted out of Central California Community College or the University of Tampa, where he played collegiate baseball. He began his pro career in 2006 as an undrafted free agent signing with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. Vogt spent six years in the minors with the Rays and Boston Red Sox systems before getting released after the 2011 season at age 30. It seemed his dreams of reaching the majors had ended, but after signing with the Athletics organization in 2012, Vogt’s career path took an unexpected turn thanks to a breakthrough season at Triple-A Sacramento.
Vogt’s offensive prowess in the Pacific Coast League earned him his first big league call up with the Athletics in June 2013 at the relatively old age of 31. After starting his MLB career 0-for-11, Vogt had a breakout performance in his 12th game, going 5-for-5 with a home run against the Houston Astros on June 29, 2013. This stunning debut marked the beginning of Vogt mania in Oakland, as the undersized catcher immediately became a fan favorite for his all-out playing style and infectious positivity. He finished his rookie season hitting .279 with 10 home runs in just 78 games, and proved to be one of the Athletics’ most valuable players as they made a surprise run to the ALDS.
Vogt’s impressive rookie campaign made him one of the hottest rookie commodities in baseball cards overnight. 2013 Topps Update baseball cards featuring his rookie debut became highly sought after by fans and investors alike. Other popular rookie and base versions included those from 2013 Topps Series 2, 2013 Bowman Chrome, 2013 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects, and 2013 Panini Golden Age. But perhaps no Vogt rookie card became more iconic than his 2013 Topps Update “Record Breaker” parallel card, which featured a photo from his historic 5-for-5 game and marked it as a franchise record at the time. This parallel parallel became one of the most prestigious and valuable modern rookie cards in the hobby.
While Vogt struggled with injuries in 2014 that limited him to just 56 games, he continued being a fan favorite in Oakland thanks to his enthusiasm and leadership qualities. Collectors sought out his base rookie cards and parallels from 2014 Topps Series 1 and 2014 Topps Series 2 to continue following his career path. In 2015, Vogt rebounded to hit .271 with 12 homers in 112 games to establish himself as the Athletics’ primary catcher. Highlights that year included an All-Star selection and winning the Willie Mac Award as the team’s most inspirational player, cementing his popularity in Oakland. Key Vogt cards from this breakout season included those from 2015 Topps, 2015 Topps Chrome, and 2015 Stadium Club.
Following a thumb injury that cost him most of the 2016 season, Vogt continued to be a force at the plate in 2017 by hitting .253 with career-highs of 10 homers and 52 RBIs despite missing over a month with knee inflammation. This durable performance kept interest high in his base cards from sets like 2017 Topps Series 1 and 2017 Topps Series 2. Despite being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers during the 2018 season, Vogt had arguably his best year offensively by batting .302 in 89 games combined with Oakland and Milwaukee. Key cards from this late-career hot streak included 2018 Topps Update base and parallels, which were some of the last cards featuring Vogt in his familiar Athletics uniform.
After signing with the Tampa Bay Rays organization for 2019, injuries limited Vogt to just 12 games before he was released that May, effectively ending his six-year MLB career. While short, Vogt’s feel-good story and faithful fan following in Oakland ensured his baseball cards remained popular with collectors. Sets releasing cards of Vogt in his various jerseys like Rays, Brewers, and Athletics uniforms are still actively collected and traded today. His legacy as an inspirational underdog who persevered past multiple odds remains an endearing part of baseball lore. With his iconic smile frozen on cardboard, Stephen Vogt’s cards continue captivating collectors years after his final at-bat. The journeyman catcher’s story serving as a reminder of what determination and hard work can achieve in baseball.
