The Houston Astros have a long and storied history that is well documented through the decades on baseball cards produced by Topps. From the franchise’s founding in 1962 as the Colt .45s through today’s powerhouse Astros teams, Topps has been there every step of the way to commemorate the players and seasons.
One of the earliest and most recognizable Astros cards comes from the 1963 Topps set, which was the franchise’s second season after the name change from Colt .45s. Card #359 features Joe Morgan, who played his first two MLB seasons for Houston in 1963 and 1964 before a Hall of Fame career largely with the Cincinnati Reds. This is one of the most identifiable early Astros cards for collectors and remains a key piece in franchise history.
Through the 1960s, Topps continued annual sets that captured Houston players like Rusty Staub, Jimmy Wynn, Don Wilson, and Astros manager Harry Craft on manager cards. 1969 saw the rise of the “Astrodome Revolution” and the team’s move indoors, highlighted by the dominance of pitchers Larry Dierker and Don Wilson. Their cards from that year remain some of the most identifiable from Houston’s early club years.
The 1970s brought several stars to Astros cards, led by second baseman Joe Morgan’s 1973 and 1975 MVP season accomplishments. His ’73 and ’75 Topps cards showcasing the hardware are extremely valuable today. Other sought-after 1970s Houston cards include pitchers J.R. Richard, Ken Forsch, and Nolan Ryan, who had early Astros tenure before his Hall of Fame career took off elsewhere. 1975 was a landmark 100th anniversary season for Topps cards, with special designs that included Astros like Cesar Cedeno and future all-time hits leader Craig Biggio in one of his earliest cards.
Entering the 1980s, the Astros regularly found themselves on Topps cards behind stars like slugger Art Howe, 1980 NLCS and ’81 strike-shortened season MVP Alan Ashby, and 1984 NLCS MVP Mike Scott. Scott’s near no-hitter in Game 4 of the ’86 NLCS ended up being highlighted on an epic ’87 Topps card that ranks among the most identifiable in franchise history. Jeff Bagwell’s rookie card from the 1991 Topps set kicked off one of the greatest eras in Astros history and thrust the first baseman among the game’s biggest stars.
The 1990s continued the Astros’ Topps card renaissance with standouts like Bagwell’s rookie campaign mentioned before. Other highlights include Craig Biggio’s shift to second base documented on 1992 Topps cards, as he embarked on a quest up the all-time hits list. The Killer B’s era of Bagwell and Biggio dominance populated many top sets through the late 90s. 1998 saw one of the franchise’s best teams make the World Series, led by 20-game winner Shane Reynolds who got an iconic card for his accomplishments that year.
Entering the 2000s and 2010s, the Astros franchise was again prominently featured in annual Topps sets. Standouts like career saves leader Billy Wagner, 2004 NLCS MVP Brad Lidge, outfield winners Lance Berkman and Hunter Pence, and all-time strikeout leader Roger Clemens all garnered noteworthy cards. Among the most prized modern Astros cards remains the rookie efforts of 2017 World Series MVP George Springer, who like Bagwell before him exploded onto the MLB scene with Topps’ help highlighting his ascent.
The Astros’ controversial 2017 championship itself was commemorated by a one-of-a-kind Topps card releasing details of the victory. In the years since, Houston’s sustained success has provided no shortage of stars to spotlight, from Gerrit Cole’s dominance to breakouts of Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve. Today, the Astros remain annual MLB postseason staples – ensuring their players’ cards will remain widely collected and among the most prized in the franchise’s impressive six-decade history as documented by Topps year after year.
From the early Colt .45s stars to 2022’s powerhouse rosters, Topps baseball cards have helped Astros fans reconnect with iconic players and moments across generations. The hallowed tradition between Houston, America’s pastime, and sports’ foremost card maker is surely one that will continue entertaining collectors for decades more. Few franchises can claim such a rich visual timeline of their history and fandom as the one Topps has meticulously crafted for the city of Houston and its beloved Astros.
