The 2022 Topps Baseball Card checklist is one of the most anticipated releases each year. As one of the longest running and most iconic brands in the hobby, each new Topps release garners significant collector interest. The 2022 checklist features cards of the biggest names in the game alongside exciting rookie cards and parallels that give collectors multiple options to find the cards they want.
The base set is the foundation of any Topps release and 2022 features 384 total base cards split into 6 series. The checklist is headlined by superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Fernando Tatis Jr. and others. Notable rookies in the base set include Seattle Mariners rookie sensation Julio Rodriguez and Detroit Tigers prospect Riley Greene. Beyond the stars, collectors can find cards of their favorite hometown players or build a complete 2022 set.
While the base cards are the core of any release, Topps adds excitement each year with inserts and parallels. The 2022 Flagship release includes several popular inserts like Opening Day, Home Run Challenge, and Greats of the Game among others. There are also several exciting parallels to find like Gold, Rainbow Foil, and Refractors. These extra cards give collectors optionality to target specific parallel combinations of their PC players.
One of the most exciting aspects each year is the coveted Topps Chrome release. Similar to the base set but with a sharp photography on a modern “chrome” stock, Chrome inserts some of the brightest refractors in the hobby. The 2022 checklist includes Green Refractor /99, Gold Refractor /50, Rainbow Foil /10 and 1-of-1 Black Refractors. Top rookies and stars in the highly sought after refractors can be chase cards for collectors.
Topps also releases expanding checklists throughout the season with update and high number series. These extended checklists capture callups, late-season performances and roster moves. The 2022 Topps Update Series expands the base checklist with 60 additional cards and includes late-season standouts. High numbers adds 50 more between series 6 and 7. These extended releases provide additional player, rookie and parallel options for collectors.
Beyond the domestic releases, Topps also produces international variants that are highly coveted abroad and among collectors online. Topps Japan and Topps UK/EU have similar but distinct checklists and parallels compared to the US Flagship set. International collectors and eBay have driven significant interest among stateside collectors for these overseas parallel cards in recent years.
Topps also curates insert sets celebrating iconic MLB moments each season under umbrella names like Topps living. This includes standalone subsets highlighting milestones, postseason performances and retired greats. Examples from the 2022 release include Topps Living Legends for retired stars and Topps Living Postseason Heroes recapping 2021 playoff standouts.
For the vintage card collector, Topps Heritage released bridging retro designs with current players. The 2022 Heritage set reimagines classic 1953 and 1963 Topps designs for today’s top talents and rookies. Heritage parallels and vintage-inspired inserts provide a niche collecting option beyond the modern Flagship checklist.
In summation, the 2022 Topps Baseball release and all its associated checklists give collectors many options to build sets, focus on favorite players or chase exciting parallels and inserts. As one of the oldest and most storied brands in the hobby, Topps continues releasing new checklists that appeal to casual fans and seasoned collectors alike each season. With several modern and vintage-inspired sets to choose from, 2022 offers countless collecting opportunities for all types of baseball card aficionados.
