Collecting the Stars of the Bay
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 Bay to take a look at collecting the San Francisco Giants.
Down by the Bay
Longtime collector and Sports Illustrated collectibles writer Lucas Mast began collecting in the Bay Area back in the ’80s. “It was a boom time for collectors, tons of local card shows and Hobby shops,” Mast says. “I had an allegiance to the Bay Area teams. My earliest memories are of collecting Will Clark, Barry Bonds, McGwire, and Canseco.”
For Mast, there’s a local pride in collecting the Giants. “There is a rich sense of history and loyalty from iconic players like Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Will Clark, Barry Bonds, Buster Posey, and many others. Being able to attend local shows and see a wide range of cards featuring favorite players across all price points is enjoyable for both old-school collectors and new generations of Giants fans.”
The passionate fan base can create some competition for Giants cards, but Mast has found that heading to Southern California can lead to some bargains. “Some shops are more focused on Dodgers or Angels, and they’re happy to give Giants collectors a deal.”
Grails of the Giants
“The no-brainer, top-of-the-budget grail has to be Willie Mays—either the 1951 Bowman or the 1952 Topps,” Mast says. “Any die-hard Giants fan should also have Juan Marichal (1961 Topps), Willie McCovey (1960 Topps), and Orlando Cepeda (1958 Topps).” There’s also Masanori Murakami (1965 Topps), the first Japanese player in Major League Baseball. Murakami can also be found in the 2025 Topps Baseball Series 1 First Pitch insert.
Willie Mays remains one of the essential legends of The Hobby, and his cards are among the most sought-after across all sports. The 1952 Topps card has sold for as much as $478,000. This PSA 4 is currently listed at Fanatics Collect for $7,999.
Modern Giants Cards to Chase
Will “The Thrill” Clark remains a beloved part of the fabric of the Giants franchise. The six-time All-Star and 1989 NLCS MVP also is still a popular chase for Giants collectors. “With, Clark I’d start with 1986 Topps Traded and 1987 Topps,” Mast says.
Then, of course, there’s Barry Bonds. One of the GOATs, Bonds defined baseball in San Francisco for a decade and a half, as he chased down the all-time home run record. Bonds’ most valuable card remains his 1986 Topps Tiffany RC. The card sold for as much as $40,800 in September 2021.
Bonds made Hobby news this year when he returned to The Hobby with autographed cards in Topps releases for the first time since 2017. “I think Giants collectors — and Barry Bonds fans in general — are super excited to see Topps 2025 autographs,” Mast says. “I’d love to add a 2025 Bonds autograph to my collection.”
Collecting a Dynasty
In 2010, the Giants ended a 56-year drought, winning the World Series in five games against the Texas Rangers. San Francisco went on to win two more titles in 2012 and 2014.
“Those teams had a lot of great players, colorful characters, and community icons,” Mast says. “My short list would include Buster Posey, Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, Hunter Pence, Brandon Crawford, and Pablo Sandoval.”
Collecting Today’s San Francisco Giants
Today, the Giants have built an exciting roster that has the team in the thick of the playoff hunt. Mast’s current-day collection focuses on center fielder Jung Hoo Lee.
“My favorite card of his is the 2024 Topps x Cactus Jack Travis Scott card, as well as his 2024 Topps Allen & Ginter Stained Glass rookie,” Mast says. Other players to chase include ace Logan Webb, fan favorite Mike Yastrzemski, Matt Chapman, and new addition Rafael Devers.
Who’s Got Next?
San Francisco’s dynasty was built by turning prospects into stars. 2012 NL MVP Buster Posey was drafted fifth overall in the 2008 MLB Draft, won three championships with the Giants, and today is the Giants’ President of Baseball Operations. In 2006 and 2007, Tim Lincecum and Madison Bumgarner, iconic aces in Giants’ history, were both drafted 10th overall by the team.
Today, the next generation of Giants stars are looking to break through, and collectors are on notice. “I’m keeping my eye on Bryce Eldridge, Carson Wisenhunt, and Jhonny Level,” Mast says. At time of writing, Bryce Eldridge has risen to 20th in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects. This 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto card numbered to 99 is currently listed for $949 on Fanatics Collect.
