Collect the Top Players from 1961-1970
Baseball in the 1960s was defined by dominance, innovation, and transition. It was a decade where the game grew more competitive, more national, and more reflective of the changing times. From shutdown pitching to clutch hitting, the players who rose to the top during this era helped shape the modern game with consistency, power, and flair.
Their greatness wasn’t just felt on the field. It lives on through their trading cards. These pieces of cardboard captured legends in action and have become prized collectibles, preserving a golden era of baseball in bold color and timeless design. Let’s take a look at the best players by position from the 1960s and the cards that continue to tell their stories.
Best Baseball Players & Their Cards: 1961-1970
Catcher: 1969 Topps #95 Johnny Bench
Player info
• hall-of-famer
• 14-time all-star
• two-time world series champion
Set info
• 664-card set
what they said
• “I don’t want to embarrass any other catchers by comparing him to Johnny Bench”. – baseball lifer sparky anderson
First Base: 1960 Topps #316 Willie McCovey RC
Player info
• hall-of-famer
• 1969 nl mvp
• six-time all-star
set info
• 572-card set
What they said
• “When he belts a home run, he does it with such authority it seems like an act of God.” – former dodgers manager walter alston
Second Base: 1961 Topps #430 Bill Mazeroski
Player info
• Hall-of-famer
• 10-time all-star
• two-time world series champion
set info
• 587-card set
What they said
• “Bill was known for his quick feet around the bag but was also nicknamed “Tree Stump” because sliding baserunners usually were unable to take him out.” – Bob Hurte for the Society for American Baseball Research
Shortstop: 1961 Topps #440 Luis Aparicio
Player info
• hall-of-famer
• 1966 world series champion
• 13-time all-star
set info
• 587-card set
What they said
• “What is the top requirement for a second baseman? A fine shortstop. I am fortunate in having the greatest shortstop in baseball, Luis Aparicio” – Former Teammate Nellie Fox
Third Base: 1963 Topps #345 Brooks Robinson
Player info
• hall-of-famer
• two-time world series champion
• 18-time all-star
Card/Set info
• 576-Card Set
What they said
• “I’ve never known anyone in any profession more adored than Brooks.” – fellow baseball legend frank robinson
Outfield: 1961 Topps #150 Willie Mays
Player info
• hall-of-famer
• 24-time all-star
• 1954 world series champion
set info
• 587-Card set
what they said
• “Willie Mays is the closest to being perfect i’ve ever seen.” – joe diMaggio
Outfield: 1960 Topps #148 Carl Yastrzemski
Player info
• hall-of-famer
• 18-time all-star
• 1967 triple crown winner
Set info
• 572-Card Set
what they said
• “I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day and I dream about it at night. The only time I don’t think about it is when I’m playing it.” – Carl Yastrzemski
Outfield: 1967 Topps Venezuelan #284 Hank Aaron
Player info
• hall-of-famer
• 25-time all-star
• set an mlb record for career home runs
set info
• 338-Card set
What they said
• “as far as i’m concerned, hank aaron is the best ballplayer of my era.” – mickey mantle
Starting Pitcher: 1961 Topps #344 Sandy Koufax
Player info
• hall-of-famer
• four-time world series champion
• seven-time all-star
set info
• 587-Card Set
What they said
• “Sandy would strike me out two or three times a game. And I knew every pitch he was going to throw – fastball, breaking ball or whatever. Actually, he would let you look at it. And you still couldn’t hit it.” – willie mays
