Topps Baseball Reveals Top 10 Cards of All Time on 'First Things First'

Topps Baseball is celebrating a significant milestone this year: its 75th anniversary. The first release commemorating this landmark occasion, Topps Baseball Series 1, arrived on shelves Tuesday, February 11th. To mark the occasion, Topps assembled a panel of experts – including league executives, players, and historians – to determine the top 75 baseball cards of all time, with the top 10 revealed in order.

Iconic Cards Revealed

The list was unveiled on Tuesday’s edition of “First Things First.” Topps plans to offer these highly-regarded cards as professionally graded redemptions throughout 2026, packaged as an insert set called Iconic Topps Buybacks. This initiative provides collectors with a unique opportunity to acquire some of the most sought-after cards in the hobby.

Did You Know? In 2022, a graded version of the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card sold for $12.6 million, breaking all previous records.

The Top 10 Cards

The revealed top 10 cards span several eras of baseball and represent a mix of rookie cards, star players, and unique sets. Here’s a look at the cards that made the list, starting with number 10:

10: 2018 Topps Update Baseball Shohei Ohtani

This card features Ohtani in batting form, as the 2018 Topps Update set included both a pitching and a hitting version of the versatile player. Shohei Ohtani is the player with the most cards represented in the top 75, boasting five entries.

9: 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henderson’s rookie card is considered a cornerstone of 1980s collecting. It’s viewed as a key “modern” vintage card, bridging the gap between the earlier eras and the later “junk-wax” period of the 1980s.

8: 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente’s rookie card is exceptionally rare, with only one example ever receiving a perfect PSA 10 grade. As a high-numbered card from the 1955 set, it was produced in smaller quantities and released later in the season, contributing to its scarcity.

7: 1986 Topps Barry Bonds

The most recognizable of Barry Bonds’ rookie cards comes from the Topps Traded set. Two versions exist: a standard base edition and a limited-edition “Tiffany” version.

6: 1968 Topps Jerry Koosman/Nolan Ryan “Rookie Stars.”

This card is unique as it features two players: Jerry Koosman and Nolan Ryan. It is Nolan Ryan’s only official rookie card. The following year, the New York Mets would go on to win the 1969 World Series.

Expert Insight: The inclusion of a dual-player rookie card in the top 10 highlights the enduring appeal of cards that capture significant moments or pairings in baseball history. The 1968 Koosman/Ryan card benefits from the subsequent success of both players and the Mets’ championship run.

5: 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series Baseball Paul Skenes MLB Rookie Debut Patch

This one-of-a-kind card features a patch from the jersey Paul Skenes wore during his MLB debut game, along with his autograph. It sold for $1.1 million on Fanatics Collect in 2025.

4: 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson’s first Topps-issued rookie card arrived five years after his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Like other cards in the 1952 set, it includes a facsimile of his signature. The 1952 set is legendary, and the high-number series is particularly difficult to find, with some cases allegedly discarded into the Atlantic Ocean.

3: 1954 Topps Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron’s rookie card is highly prized by collectors. Only two examples have ever received a PSA 10 grade, and a card in that condition would likely exceed $1 million at auction today. These cards are slightly larger than modern standard cards.

2: 1952 Topps Willie Mays

This card commemorates Willie Mays’ rookie season with the San Francisco Giants and is one of three 1952 cards in the top 10. The card’s back notes that Mays entered military service in May 1952, causing him to miss most of that season and all of 1953.

The Most Iconic Card: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card is widely considered the most iconic card in the hobby. A graded version sold for $12.6 million in 2022. Two versions of the card exist – Type 1 and Type 2 – differing in Mantle’s signature, borders, and pixel details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year did Topps first issue baseball cards?

Topps debuted its first baseball cards in 1952.

How many cards are on the list of the top 75 baseball cards?

Topps initially compiled a list of the top 75 baseball cards before narrowing it down to the top 10.

Where were the top 10 cards revealed?

The top 10 cards were revealed on Tuesday’s edition of “First Things First.”

As Topps continues to celebrate its 75th anniversary, what impact will these iconic cards have on the future of baseball card collecting?

Topps Baseball Reveals Top 10 Cards of All Time on ‘First Things First’