2023 Topps Chrome 1988-Themed Cards
2023 Topps Chrome® Baseball holds a special gem for us: a nostalgic tribute to the iconic 1988 design. The marriage of the classic ’88 aesthetic with Chrome’s modern edge has resulted in a unique series with ardent collectors and new enthusiasts itching to get their hands on them. Here, we wanted to take a look at some of the best veterans, rookies and Hall of Famers with ’88-themed cards. From the old-school guys who are present in 2023 Topps Series 1 to the current players in the 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball, we explored some of the most valuable cards to collect.
2023 Topps Chrome 1988 Now
2023 Topps 1988-Now Baseball #88BC-2 Paul Goldschmidt
We start this list off with the 2022 NL MVP, Goldschmidt. The seven-time All-Star continues to polish off a resume that should lead to his induction in Cooperstown and looks to have plenty left in the tank despite this year being his 35-year-old campaign.
2023 Topps 1988 Baseball #88BC-1 Aaron Judge
All Hail the honorable Aaron Judge, aka the 2022 AL MVP. Judge hasn’t had the cleanest bill of health this season, but when he’s been on the field, he’s been back to his usual terrorizing of pitchers and electrifying of crowds. In 49 games, the slugger hit 19 homers while batting a red-hot .291. If the Yankees look to get back in the AL East divisional race, they’ll need an MVP-caliber finish from Judge. We’re sure he’s up to the challenge.
2023 Topps Chrome 1988 Baseball #88BC-18 Nolan Gorman RC
Now is the perfect time to hitch a ride on the Gorman Express. The 23-year-old slugger is on pace to top 30 homers and 100 RBIs for the first time in his two seasons and should be in the NL’s MVP race for years to come. Did I mention that he’s only 23? In the famous words of Li’l Wayne, “the sky is the limit” for this young stud.
2023 Topps Chrome 1988 Baseball #88BC-4 Miguel Cabrera
When Cabrera hangs up his cleats at the end of the season, a plaque in Cooperstown awaits. Miggy is one of seven players to tally at least 3,000 hits and 500 homers. That short list includes Alex Rodriguez, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, and Rafael Palmeiro. Quite an exclusive group.
2023 Topps Chrome 1988 Baseball #88BC-20 Christopher Morel RC
Another young buck on the list, Morel, turned 24 in late June 2023. In 59 games, he’s already tied his 2022 home run numbers at 16 and sits one RBI shy of last year’s total with 46. The Cubs have a future star, and adding him to any collection sounds like a base hit.
2023 Topps Series 1 1988 Then
2023 Topps Series 1 1988 Silver Pack Chrome #T88C11 Cal Ripken Jr.
The “Iron Man” of baseball, Cal Ripken Jr., stands as an enduring symbol of tenacity, consistency, and sheer grit. He smashed Lou Gehrig’s “unbreakable” record, delivering 2,632 consecutive games that spanned 17 seasons, proving himself as the ultimate workhorse. Ripken wasn’t all about longevity, though – he also boasted a stellar .276 career batting average and launched over 400 home runs, earning him a place in Cooperstown.
2023 Topps Series 1 Silver Pack 1988 Chrome Mojo Refractor #T88C-76 Nolan Ryan
A force of nature, Ryan is the untouchable king of strikeouts, with a staggering 5,714 K’s in his legendary career. He threw seven no-hitters, three more than any other player in MLB history, making batter’s boxes across the league his personal playgrounds of deception. His 2023 Topps Silver Pack 1988 Chrome Mojo ®Refractor #T88C-76 is an absolute showstopper, just as he was on the mound.
2023 Topps Series 1 Chrome Silver Pack 1988 #T88C-95 Bo Jackson Gold Refractor #/50 SP
Bo knew how to slug pitches past the fences. Bo knew how to climb the wall for mind-boggling grabs. Bo even knew how to run past, through and over tacklers for touchdowns. Topps threw arguably the greatest athlete of all time into the 2023 Chrome Silver Pack 1988 and produced this rare gold refractor numbered to 50. Topps knows how to create classic cards.
2023 Topps Series 1 1988 Chrome Silver Pack Mojo T88C-32 Jackie Robinson
If there’s a baseball Mount Rushmore in terms of importance, Jackie Robinson has to be on it. There’s no debate. Breaking the color barrier is one of the most important things that’s happened in the game and all of sports. Fun fact: Topps released its first Jackie Robinson card in 1952, five years after he broke the color barrier. Salute to a legend.
2023 Topps Series 1 Chrome 1988 #T88C-46 Willie Mays
Like Jackie Robinson, Mays is one of the faces on baseball’s Mount Rushmore. Not only is he arguably the greatest center fielder to ever play the game (it’s really not an argument), but like Miguel Cabrera, he is one of the seven members of the 3,000-hit, 500-homer club. A legendary player in a legendary set.
