A Guide for New Dodgers Collectors
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 looking at the defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dodger Blue
Growing up in Los Angeles made collector Mark Popejoy — the owner of Centerton Cards — a lifelong lover of the Dodgers. “I’ve always been a Dodgers fan,” Popejoy said, “but what stands out for me about collecting the Dodgers is the quality. They’re deep. There are a whole lot of Dodgers to chase.”
The defending champions have assembled a loaded roster, which is a huge plus for collectors. “You’ve got Ohtani, Betts, but they also add Sasaki and Snell,” Popejoy said. “You know that of the top players, there’s a bunch on this one team.”
While star players and a huge fanbase can create something of a Dodgers premium, the opportunity to collect remains. “There are options in the retail space that are accessible, and you can always find a ton of Dodgers at card shows,” Popejoy said.
For Popejoy, the high demand for Dodgers cards and the huge community of fans and collectors of the team creates opportunities. “It’s a double-edged sword. You have great access to people who have these cards. But you also have a larger collector base.” Building a network is a great way to help your collection. “Relationships are the best way to build in The Hobby,” said Popejoy.
Collecting Dodgers Grails
When it comes to Dodgers grail cards, the 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax is on a very shortlist. Popejoy recently completed the 1955-1966 run of Topps Koufax. “He’s a huge piece of Dodgers lore. I finally got an SGC Koufax 3.5. It’s the card I’ve chased the longest.” The top sale, per Card Ladder, of a 1955 Topps Koufax, was $396,000 for a PSA 9 in 2022.
For a more accessible Koufax, Popejoy suggests the 1964 Topps card. “Closeup of Koufax, bright Dodger blue hat, just a great card and design.” An SGC 4.5 of that card is currently listed on Ebay for $90.
And then there’s Jackie Robinson. His 1952 Topps Baseball card is one of the most iconic in The Hobby. A PSA 9 sold for $960,000 in 2021.
Capturing History
“Jackie Robinson is my hero,” Popejoy said. “I grew up in Los Angeles, and to me, the Dodgers have been at the forefront when it comes to social movements of integration. From Robinson to Don Newcombe, to Roy Campanella, the historical significance of what the Dodgers represent is very important to me.”
Collecting Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani is a giant of The Hobby. The global superstar has gone supernova following an unprecedented 50/50 season and World Series title. His first-ever seven-figure card sale came on March 25, when his 2024 Topps 50/50 Dynasty Black Autographed Relic 1/1 card went for $1,067,500 at auction.
“There’s his first-year rookie auto, of course,” said Popejoy. “His autograph has changed three times, so one of each version would be a fun chase.” As with some team collectors, Popejoy’s preference is for Ohtani cards with the Dodgers. “This year my goal is to get an Ohtani Dodgers auto,” he said.
While Ohtani is the most sought-after active player, there’s a ton of ways to chase the MVP, no matter your budget. A wide array of cards were released in 2025 Topps Baseball Series 1. As a Dodgers fan, Popejoy suggests a fun way to approach more accessible Ohtani cards is chasing blue refractors and parallels. Ohtani’s 1990 Topps Baseball insert card has been among the most popular from Series 1, with a border that matches well with his Dodgers uniform.
“His global impact is rare,” said Popejoy. “He’s just set up so well, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.”
Collecting Your Favorites
Almost all team collectors gravitate toward certain players, and for Popejoy, one of those is Mookie Betts. “I love Mookie, but also with his long-term deal with the team, I can be secure in the collection I’m putting together, feeling that he’s going to be around.” Early Betts cards including his 1st Bowman, Topps Update, and Topps Heritage were part of 2014 releases.
Betts will also appear in 2025 Topps Heritage Baseball. “I love Heritage,” Popejoy said, “the vintage piece, the variations, all the parallels that come with that — I do that for Mookie.”
Chasing The Rainbow
Sometimes, fate plays a hand in who a collector might chase. “I have a group of buddies that all have different PC teams,” Popejoy recalled. “We bought a case of Topps Gypsy Queen, picked our PC teams and drafted the rest. I pulled three different Will Smith autos and two parallels.” From then on, Popejoy went after the Dodgers catcher’s cards. “I used the hashtag #AccidentalPC.”
In 2022, when Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary came out, Popejoy loved the Smith card and chased his rainbow. “It took a while, maybe 18 months, but it was a blast. I got a few, then saw the Superfractor online and went for it.” As a general rule, Popejoy suggests that if you’re lucky enough to pull a 1-of-1, it’s worth the chase.
Down on the Farm
Popejoy now lives in Arkansas, and his ability to go watch minor league games featuring the Dodgers AA and AAA affiliates has helped build his collection and his connection to the team and The Hobby. “I met Will Smith when he came through. He signed a couple baseballs for my daughters, it was really cool.”
It’s also a great way to see prospects. With the Dodgers, the stacked big league roster can make it tough to break through, but the organization’s great development program means collectors can find value. Prospects who may not be at the top of the rankings can become very good players. “You can sometimes talk to these players, there’s a connection, and it absolutely makes me more interested in collecting them.”
Popejoy brought up 19-year old Joendry Vargas as one to watch. “He’s one I’m looking forward to seeing. I’ll go check him out when he comes to town.” His 2023 Bowman Chrome 1st Bowman Auto /25 sold for $3,550 in 2023. Other auto versions of the card are currently listed for $26 and up.
While pitching prospect Jared Karros, son of former Dodgers’ player and 1992 NL Rookie of the Year, is yet to have a Topps card, the chance of it happening intrigues Popejoy. “I mean, he’s Eric’s son, it’s awesome. I’d probably start a PC.”
