The 2022 Topps Baseball Card Complete Set offers collectors a chance to acquire all the standard issue cards from Topps’ flagship baseball release of the year. As the longest running and most iconic brand in the hobby, Topps delivers a time-honored tradition with each new season. Their 2022 offering contains various insert sets and parallels along with base cards showcasing every Major League player. Let’s take a closer look at what collectors can find inside this year’s complete set.
The base card design features a clean and classic look with players photographed against a solid color background. Stats and team logos are incorporated subtly along the bottom. Roster size for the set comes in at 792 cards as no active players were excluded. A few notable rookies that made their Topps debut include Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Riley Greene. Veterans like Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera receive cards as well in their continued quest up the all-time leaderboards.
As with past complete sets, parallels offer variations on the base design that are inserted throughout packs and boxes at different rarities. The Printing Plates parallel comes one per case featuring a photo without any stats or borders. These ultra-rare 1/1 versions are true collector’s items. Other parallel types for 2022 include Gold (#/2022), Silver Pack Fresh (#/99), Rainbow Foil (#/25), and X-Fractor (#/5). Each provides progresssively lower print runs to increase scarcity and attract higher prices in the secondary market.
Topps continues to pay tribute to franchise greats and milestone moments with commemorative insert sets. The All-Time Fan Favorites collection honors Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., and more legends of the sport through vintage-inspired artwork. Hall of Fame ballots get acknowledged with the HOF Ballot inset showcasing players awaiting a call to Cooperstown like Todd Helton and Scott Rolen. Another retirement is recognized through David Ortiz’s Thanks For The Memories insert set.
Rookies and prospects are highlighted through inserts like Top Prospects, which touts prospects like Gunnar Henderson and Druw Jones. The Inception set spotlights current MLB rookies and 2nd year players like Shane Bieber, Lucas Giolito, and Juan Soto in their early career phases. Fan-favorite inserts like Heritage Minors offer a bridge to the minors as well by depicting top farm system talent. Even international players seeking their shot at the majors get shine through Topps International insert sets celebrating breakthrough stars from around the globe.
Autograph and memorabilia cards bring the emotion and connection of obtaining signed pieces from your favorite stars. The Sterling insert set contains swatches of game-used jerseys or bats for players across the league embedded alongside autographed versions of their base cards. Rare 1/1 patch cards featuring precious pieces of authentic flannel or lumber only increase the excitement of trying to pull one of these highly coveted chase cards.
Completing a full flagship release like 2022 Topps takes dedication and perseverance. Building the set through trades, breaks, and retail hunting helps collectors gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the modern cardboard culture. While parallels offer numerous collecting paths, acquiring the entire base roster provides a true sense of completion. For those wishing to experience the entirety of Topps’ annual efforts, obtaining a completed 2022 Topps Complete Set delivers the ultimate satisfaction and legacy of following a whole season from cardboard to cardboard.
As baseball’s longest running brand, Topps sets the gold standard each year for what a modern baseball card release should deliver. Their 2022 offering meets expectations as the preeminent product to highlight the past season while preserving it for future generations. Through their combination of classic design, special parallels and inserts, and star rookies and veterans, the complete 2022 Topps Baseball Card Set presents collectors an time-honored tradition to enjoy for seasons to come.
