Collecting the Motor City’s Best
At Topps RIPPED, we’re taking a look at how to collect your favorite teams. If you’re new to the chase, take a look at our Team Collecting Primer. Not meant to be a definitive guide, these profiles aim to give team collectors, and those looking to get started, an idea of some of the charms of collecting each franchise.
This week, we’re heading to the Motor City to take a look at collecting the Detroit Tigers.
Beginning at the Beginning of the Detroit Tigers
Tigers collector Brent Ingram’s collection is a wonder to behold. It’s a testament to the passion of The Hobby, the love of his team, and a dedication to collect. And it all started over 40 years ago.
“I remember buying my first pack of Topps cards in 1980, from a party store — the rest of the country calls them convenience stores — in Warren, Michigan,” Ingram says. “I’ve collected Tigers since then.”
Ingram’s collection includes Tigers cards from some of the most famous sets in the history of The Hobby. “About 10 years ago, I sold most of my non-Tigers and focused on building Tiger team sets from as far back as the early 1900’s,” he says. “I’ve completed all the Topps Tiger team sets from 1951-1980 and early Bowmen sets, and since then I’ve been collecting Pre-War Tiger teams.”
Ingram’s collection includes Tobacco Tiger cards from T-201, T-204, T-205, T-206, and T-207, sets which include some of the most valuable baseball cards of all-time — like that Honus Wagner card, for example. A T206 Ty Cobb card sold through Fanatics Collect for $110,000 on June 21, 2025.
Tiger Grails
“The four Ty Cobb T-206 cards have been grail cards since I started collecting,” says Ingram. The 12-time batting champion and Hall of Famer remains an essential piece of The Hobby.
Cobb’s T206 cards include this famous ‘Bat Off Shoulder’ card. The player image and phenomenal background are just incredible to look at, and it’s one of those vintage cards that feels as much like an artifact as it does a collectible. This PSA 4 is available on Fanatics Collect for $275,000. A PSA 9 sold for as much as $870,000 in August 2024.
“When it comes to other grails,” says Ingram, “I think Hank Greenberg and Al Kaline. Greenberg’s 1934 Goudey and Kaline’s 1954 Topps rookie card are big Tigers grail cards.”
While both of these gems are highly valuable and difficult to find, that’s part of what makes them grails. A PSA 4 Kaline 1954 RC is currently listed at $875 on Fanatics Collect. That background still has this vintage grail popping out of the hand.
Modern Grails and Favorite Tigers Cards Through the Years
Justin Verlander is nothing short of a Detroit legend. From 2005 to 2017, Verlander was an All-Star six times, including five in a row, starting in 2009. In 2011, Verlander became the first pitcher since 1992 to win both the CY Young and MVP awards in the same season.
Verlander’s 2005 Topps Chrome RC is one of the most coveted modern day Tigers cards, and along with his T-227 Ty Cobb, is one of Ingram’s favorites.
Part of the charm of team collecting is chasing players who hold a special place in the hearts of fans. For Ingram, one such player is Mark Fidrych. “A very affordable vintage card is his 1977 rookie. His magical season in 1976 will never be forgotten in Detroit.”
Fidrych took home the AL Rookie of the Year award after posting a 19-9 record to go along with an MLB-leading 2.34 ERA and MLB-leading 9.6 WAR. Fidrych threw 24 complete games that season. The team struggled, but Fidrych was the talk of the town. This 1977 Topps features his welll-earned Topps Rookie Cup.
Chasing the Champs
When it comes to collecting the champs, “Any Hank Greenberg or Charlie Gehringer card is great,” according to Ingram. “The 1968 team is loaded with stars. Dick McAuliffe, Mickey Lolich (1968 World Series MVP), Denny McLain (1968 AL MVP) and more. Al Kaline is the biggest Tiger star from the World Championship teams, so any card of his is a fantastic addition.”
The most recent championship team, from 1984, is a big one for today’s Tigers collectors. “The team is recent enough for some collectors to have watched play,” Ingram says. “Jack Morris, Lance Parrish, Lou Whitaker, and Alan Trammell are very desirable. Morris, Whitaker, and Trammell also had Topps cards distributed through Burger King in 1978 that are in demand.”
Oddities like the ‘78 Topps Burger King cards are part of what makes collecting the Tigers unique. “There are team sets other teams don’t have,” Ingram explains. “1953 Glendale Meats, 1962 Ford Motor Company postcards, the 1985 Wendy’s team set.”
Who’s Got Next?
In new additions like pitcher Jackson Jobe and former top overall draft pick Spencer Torkelson, the Tigers have young players to chase. Down on the farm, “Max Clark easily leads the group we are excited about,” says Ingram.
“Kevin McGonigle, and our most recent draft pick Bryce Ranier are some of the others we are watching.” McGonigle is one to chase in 2025 Bowman Baseball. Clark’s 2023 Bowman Chrome® Draft Refractor numbered to 99 is currently listed on Fanatics Collect for $150.
A Team on the Rise on the Field and in The Hobby
Today, the Detroit Tigers are one of the best teams in baseball. An exciting combination of top-end pitching, quality offense, and fantastic defense, this year’s club has a chance to go all the way. In The Hobby, the chase is on for stars like 2024 AL Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal and slugger Riley Green.
Skubal’s newly-released K-Zone insert card is a brilliant design and can be found in Topps Baseball Series 2. Greene’s 2023 Topps Chrome® Baseball 1988 Baseball insert card has a great player image. A Red Refractor numbered to 5 sold on June 23, 2025 for $245.
As the team continues to excel, Ingram says, the Tigers Hobby community is also heating up.
“Tiger fans are usually from the area. It’s fun to engage with collectors with similar pursuits. We seek each other out for advice and share our latest acquisitions.”
More Topps Team Collecting
- How to Collect | The Philadelphia Phillies
- How to Collect Baltimore Orioles Baseball Cards: A Guide for Fans
- Team Collecting The New York Mets
