Collecting the Cubs means Collecting History
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 North Side of the Windy City, to take a look at collecting the Chicago Cubs..
The Hobby of a Lifetime
Lifelong Cubs fan and collector John Racanelli remembers how it all started: “The Cubs were my favorite team and I went with my aunt to Wrigley Field back in 1981, and they sold team sets at Wrigley. I was looking through the set at the ballpark and seeing the players right there on the field. It was just this magical experience.”
Today, Racanelli is nothing short of a Cubs super collector. He’s put together team sets dating all the way back to 1955. He loves collecting the Cubs in the Chicago area, noting that it creates a real communal experience. “I go to the Cubs convention every year, it’s a blast,” Racanelli said. “They bring in a ton of players, current and retired, going all the way back to Fergie Jenkins.” For Racanelli, when it comes to Jenkins, his favorite card is the 1969 Topps.
“There’s a number of collectors in the Chicago area, and it’s not necessarily competitive,” Racanelli said. “It’s more, ‘Hey, I know you’ve been looking for this — I’ve got an opportunity to pick it up at the show, are you interested?’ It’s pretty cool.”
The Grails of the Chicago Cubs
Founded in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings, the team switched to the Cubs nickname in 1903. The oldest franchise in Major League Baseball, it’s no surprise that some of the sport’s most important cards belong to the Cubs — T-206, T-205, Tinkers-Evers-Chance, and Mordecai Brown, according to Racanelli.
A PSA 9 of Brown’s T205 card (Population: 1) sold for $72,000 in 2019. A SGC 2.5 sold for $300 on Fanatics Collect in 2022.
The T206 Johnny Evers remains one of the most iconic cards in the entire Hobby. Bat in hand, sporting a Cubs shirt, the 1914 NL MVP’s PSA 9 sold for over $60,000 in 2020. This PSA 2 is listed through Fanatics Collect for $395.
“You get into the late 20’s, early 30’s, Gabby Hartnett, Kiki Cuyler,” Racanelli said. “I’m personally a huge Hank Wilson fan. He’s got his own binder.” His personal favorite is his 1929 Kashin. A PSA 7 sold for over $1,000 last year.
Then, of course, there’s Ernie Banks, one of the most beloved players in the history of the sport. Banks’ famous 1954 Topps card is an all-timer. A PSA 9 sold for $198,000 in 2022. The above PSA 5 signed 1954 Banks is currently listed for $10,000 on Fanatics Collect.
For a more accessible early Ernie Banks card, Racanelli suggests one of his personal favorites from 1957 Topps. “The ‘57 is just beautiful. It’s art,” he said. “The set and the card. The color and the composition is fantastic.” When it comes to Banks, there are plenty of options. According to Racanelli, you can find lower condition cards from $25-$50.
Collect What You Love
While Racanelli has dozens of team sets from his favorite team, just like any team collector, the teams and moments that matter to him make some years stand out more than others. He highlights the 1984 team — the first Cubs squad to make the playoffs since 1945 — in particular. “Even today, they just seem like regular guys,” Racanelli said. “That group just really resonates with Cubs fans.”
Ryne Sandberg, who won NL MVP that season, remains one of the most beloved athletes in the history of the Windy City. A PSA 9 Sandberg rookie card is currently listed on Fanatics Collect for $149.
Nostalgia remains one of the most enduring appeals to team collecting. To capture that team, that moment — that summer — and hold a piece of it forever.
World Series Champs, Finally
It took the Cubs 108 years to climb back to the mountain top, and the 2016 team that finally got it done occupies a special place in the hearts of Cubs team collectors. Of course, there’s 2015 NL Rookie of the Year and 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant, charismatic pitcher Jake Arrieta, slugger Anthony Rizzo, All-Stars Addison Russell and Dexter Fowler, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, and more.
“I love Kyle Schwarber,” said Racanelli. “Just the story of that year. Battling to get back from injury. We started hearing that he was ramping up, then bam – he’s gonna play in the World Series. Crazy stuff.” Schwarber batted .412 in the World Series, helping the Cubs end their title drought.
Blue Skies Ahead
The Cubs have not made the postseason since 2020, but the future looks bright on the North Side. Superstar Kyle Tucker is off to a great start since joining from Houston. The team is atop the NL-Central, and within The Hobby, the likes of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Matt Shaw are becoming increasingly sought-after young players.
The Cubs appeared alongside the Los Angeles Dodgers in a historic two-game series in Tokyo to start the 2025 season. The 2025 Topps Baseball Series 1 MLB World Tour Tokyo Series cards are some of the hottest new releases in The Hobby.
A Cubs Connection
The Cubs are an institution in American sports. The team is revered in Chicago, but it’s a national brand as well. For Racanelli, the evolution of The Hobby on social media has given him a chance to show off his team collection.
“It’s nice that they’re somewhat of a national team,” he said. “So say, I’m on Twitter or Blue Sky, people across the country have said, ‘Wow, this collection is really cool’. It’s fun knowing that people appreciate it, even if they’re not from Chicago.”
