Topps released several baseball card products in 2016 that captured the attention of collectors both young and old. Their flagship set, known simply as ‘Topps 2016 baseball’ contained various insert sets and parallels that combined nostalgia with modern design styles. For over 70 years Topps has been the top brand in the baseball card industry and their 2016 offerings reflected their deep roots in the hobby while introducing new collectors to the age-old tradition of trading, collecting, and admiring the sport through cardboard.
The base set for Topps 2016 contained 69 cards of current Major League stars as well as popular retired players. Ranging from #1 to #69, the full complement of cards were available in both regular and glossy finish base variations. Iconic shots from the 2015 season graced many of the cards, showcasing the dynamic poses and emotion that make the sport so compelling in photo form. Additional inserts focused on ‘Turn Back The Clock’ to feature reimagined past designs accented with modern stats and images of current stars.
Rookies were well-represented as the top prospects from 2015 received their proper Topps introductions. Cody Bellinger, Dansby Swanson, and Nomar Mazara were among the many talented youngsters given the revered Topps rookie card treatment featuring their early days in the big leagues. Special subsets like ‘Rookie Rising’ and ‘Your First Topps Card’ highlighted the emergence of future stars and commemorated the collector’s beginning journey respectively.
Veteran leaders still performing at an elite level received due recognition as cards of Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, and Max Scherzer populated the base set. Top retired greats such as Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds found representation through special insert sets featuring their glory years in action shots and at-bats frozen forever on cardboard. The 2016 Update Series and Traded sets released later in the year added even more current stars and updated rookie talnts to complete sets.
Parallels expanded collecting options and added levels of rarity/difficulty for those seeking premium versions. Silver Pack parallels found at a rate of 1:4 packs shimmered subtly upon tilt. Gold labels numbered to 2016 gave way to the ultra-low print Gold Label parallels only 2016 copies produced. Top Hit signatures and Gem Mint autographs provided one-of-a-kind game gear pieces for the true high-end collector alongside numbered veterans relic and auto pieces.
Design theme inserts like ‘Center Stage’ focused upon crowd-pleasing home run trots while Series 2 added portrait variation concepts. Flashback Fridays revisited iconic card treatments from the 1970s through ’90s. Through the history-inspired formats, both new and seasoned collectors could admire former greats like Brooks Robinson depicted in archived styles alongside modern superstars in curated retrospective presentations.
Exclusive memorabilia focused editions also saw release. Topps Tribute paid homage to retiring players with signed swatches and auto cards of David Ortiz, Ichiro Suzuki, and Justin Verlander amongst other notable veterans marking their final Major League seasons. Heritage Minor League included prolific prospects holding their affiliation’s logos alongside autographs, patches, and serially numbered parallels to 100.
The flagship base Topps product clearly populated the 2016 season while spin-offs incorporated various themes. Topps now captured real-time highlights via online serial releases while Archives, Chrome, and Triple Threads premium subsets contributed dazzling card art, technology, and treasures for the higher-end enthusiast. Topps even experimented with digital forms via online collectibles though physical cardboard remained central. Memorabilia equipped high-dollar boxes from Allen and Ginter and Triple Threads provided true one-of-a-kind game relic treasures for the devoted super collector.
Through new insert approaches and established mainstay designs Topps craftily crafted a diverse 2016 collector stable for both seasoned veterans and newcomers. Reinvention never overlooked tradition as iconic shapes and familiar names populated variants alongside hot rookies and modern masters. Baseball cards once again served as an affordable conduit to relive summer diamonds and sparked imagination, discussion and nostalgia for one more season. With over 70 years of tradition establishing themselves as the standard brand, Topps cemented its continued relevance in the industry among new competitors while respecting the pillars that made cardboard collecting an all-time favorite hobby.
