Shohei Ohtani is widely considered one of the most unique and phenomenal baseball players of all time due to his rare ability to pitch and hit at an elite level. Since making his MLB debut in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani has captivated fans worldwide with his 5-tool talent and jaw-dropping performances on both sides of the ball. It’s no surprise then that baseball card manufacturer Topps has placed significant focus on featuring Ohtani in their popular sets over the past few seasons.
2018 Topps Baseball Series 1 #132 Shohei Ohtani RC
Ohtani’s first Topps baseball card came in the 2018 Topps Series 1 set, marking his official MLB rookie card. This sought-after card features a photo of Ohtani batting from the left side with an Angels batting helmet on. The card stock is standard glossy and features Ohtani’s name in English and Japanese along the bottom. Series 1 was released in late February/early March of 2018 prior to Ohtani debuting stateside, so the statistics listed on the back are from his tenure in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. This was fans’ first chance to add the Japanese phenom to their collections before he made his highly anticipated stateside debut. Due to his obscurity and hype prior to 2018, Ohtani’s rookie cards from this set command premium prices to this day and are a must-have for collectors following his early career.
2018 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini #73 Shohei Ohtani
In addition to his base rookie card, Topps also included Ohtani in their 2018 Allen & Ginter baseball minis product. These smaller cards are inserted randomly in wax packs and boxes in place of a normal size card. Ohtani’s mini showcases an action shot of him batting from the left side with his unusual two-handed follow through. As with typical Allen & Ginter designs, a fun border surrounds the image. These minis invoked a more whimsical and collectible aspect compared to Ohtani’s standard rookie issue. They remain a hotly sought unique variant among Ohtani collectors.
2019 Topps Opening Day #14 Shohei Ohtani
By 2019, Ohtani was a full-time two-way star in the majors and Topps commemorated this with him earning prominent placements across their flagship sets. One of the highlights was his base card in the 2019 Topps Opening Day set, which features him in an Angels home white uniform posing in a batting stance. This set is usually one of the first major releases each year, making it an ideal option for collectors to add Ohtani to their collections as he entered his much-anticipated sophomore season stateside. While not quite as scarce as his true rookie, this served as Ohtani’s main base card offering as he cemented himself as one of MLB’s brightest young stars.
2019 Topps Chrome Sapphire #150 Shohei Ohtani
For collectors seeking higher-end Ohtani parallels, Topps offered the Japanese star in their premium 2019 Topps Chrome Sapphire set. This exclusive parallel showcases an alternate photo of Ohtani batting from the left side in his distinctive crouching stance. Unlike the standard Topps Chrome focus on refractor and parallel designs, Sapphire takes things up a notch with its stark blue border and deeper sapphire-tinted image. Only available through highly sought hobby boxes of Chrome, these Sapphire parallels commands significant prices due to their rarity and prestigious packaging within the set. They offered advanced collectors a true luxury Ohtani option during his breakout All-Star campaign.
2020 Topps Chrome Blaster Purple Refractor #37 Shohei Ohtani
With each passing season, Ohtani’s star only continued rising higher. In 2020, he made history as the first full-time two-way player since the early Babe Ruth era. Topps paid tribute with a sharp looking purple refractor parallel of Ohtani batting from their 2020 Topps Chrome Blaster product line. Available through Target exclusive blaster boxes at a lower retail price point, these purple refractors showcase some nice color pop to his uniform without breaking the bank compared to high-end parallels. They represented an accessible option for fans and collectors looking to commemorate Ohtani’s unprecedented Renaissance season and two-way dominance in an eye-catching parallel design.
2021 Topps Finest Black Border /25 Shohei Ohtani
The 2021 season saw Ohtani put up perhaps the greatest all-around campaign in today’s MLB as a hitter and pitcher, cementing his status as a modern icon. Topps celebrated with their premium Topps Finest release, including a rare black border parallel of Ohtani as a hitter. Limited to only 25 copies worldwide, these ultra-short printed parallels feature Ohtani from the left side with his epic follow-through and a stark black border. Inside high-end Finest hobby boxes, these provide the ultimate defined relic for Ohtani supercollector seeking the rarest of the rare. They exemplify the care Topps took through their whole set program to properly honor Ohtani’s unparalleled 2021 MVP season.
In just a few short years, Shohei Ohtani has cemented himself as a living legend and crowd favorite through his historic two-way play. Topps has been there to commemorate each incredible step of the way through Ohtani’s rookie years, All-Star seasons, and unprecedented MVP campaign. From widespread base cards to exclusive parallels, their extensive Ohtani offerings provide fans an array of options to collect and remember his amazing dual talent. As his story continues unfolding, Topps will surely remain at the forefront chronicling each milestone through memorable baseball cards as only they can. Ohtani’s ongoing legend is perfectly captured in the hobby he so captivates.
