Historic No-Hitters Captured on Topps Cards
There is no greater moment for a pitcher than throwing a no-hitter. In a sport defined by the tension between batter and pitcher, it is the ultimate triumph — an act of near-perfection that cements a hurler’s name in the record books.
Over the decades, Topps has captured some of baseball’s most unforgettable no-hitters on its cards, whether through season highlights, commemorative issues, or simply by featuring the pitchers who made history. In this post, we’ll look at some of the greatest no-hitters ever thrown, as immortalized on Topps cards.
Don Larsen’s Perfect Game (1956 World Series)
A no-hitter in the postseason is special; a perfect game in the World Series is legendary. On October 8, 1956, Don Larsen of the New York Yankees accomplished the unthinkable, setting down all 27 Brooklyn Dodgers he faced in Game 5 of the Fall Classic. His feat remains the only perfect game in World Series history.
Topps has paid tribute to Larsen’s historic performance in several ways over the years, including in 1961 with card #402 dedicated to his perfect game. But his most famous card remains the 1956 Topps #332, released before his October masterpiece. It features a classic horizontal design, showing Larsen in action — though at the time, no one could have foreseen how much history he would make later that year.
Sandy Koufax’s No-Hitter Streak (1962-1965)
From 1962 to 1965, Sandy Koufax dominated baseball like few pitchers ever have, throwing an astonishing four no-hitters in as many seasons. His fourth, a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs on September 9, 1965, remains one of the most celebrated pitching performances in MLB history. That night, Koufax struck out 14 batters, and the Dodgers needed every bit of his brilliance in a 1-0 victory.
Topps captured Koufax’s dominance across many sets, but the 1966 Topps #100 is a standout, released after his legendary ’65 season. The card features a poised Koufax, fresh off winning the Cy Young Award and coming off his perfect game. High-grade examples of this card are highly sought after by collectors, as they encapsulate one of the most dominant pitching stretches in baseball history.
Nolan Ryan’s Seven No-Hitters
Nolan Ryan’s record of seven no-hitters may never be broken. Over a 27-year career, Ryan defied aging, throwing his final no-no at the age of 44 with the Texas Rangers in 1991. His first came in 1973 with the California Angels, and he added three more by 1975, already establishing himself as an elite flamethrower.
His most famous might be his seventh, on May 1, 1991, when he blanked the Toronto Blue Jays and struck out 16 batters at an age when most pitchers are retired.
Collectors have no shortage of Ryan cards to chase, but a few stand out when it comes to his no-hitters. The 1974 Topps #20 showcases him at his peak with the Angels, just after he threw two no-hitters in 1973. Meanwhile, the 1991 Topps #1 card celebrates his achievements with the Rangers with a horizontal action shot. Both cards are essential for any collector looking to commemorate Ryan’s unparalleled no-hit dominance.
Bob Feller’s Opening Day No-Hitter (1940)
Opening Day no-hitters are among the rarest of rarities. In fact, only one pitcher in MLB history has ever done it: Bob Feller. On April 16, 1940, Feller blanked the Chicago White Sox, setting the tone for what would be a Hall of Fame career. At just 21 years old, Feller was already recognized as one of baseball’s brightest stars.
Though his no-hitter came well before Topps began producing baseball cards, Feller’s legend was later honored in several retro-style sets. His 1952 Topps #88, part of the company’s inaugural set, remains his most iconic card. More recently, Topps has included him in various Heritage and Archives series, keeping his name alive for modern collectors.
Justin Verlander’s Three No-Hitters
Justin Verlander has been a force on the mound since his debut, throwing three career no-hitters — ®his first in 2007, his second in 2011, and his third in 2019 at age 36. Each of Verlander’s no-hitters has showcased his ability to dominate professional hitters.
Collectors looking for cards capturing these milestones can turn to the 2008 Topps #510, issued after his first no-hitter, or the 2012 Topps #639 (available in a gold version), which came following his 2011 masterpiece. His third no-hitter was honored in special edition Topps sets, proving that even as the game evolves, no-hitters remain one of baseball’s most treasured feats.
Topps NOW® and Recent No-Hitters
In recent years, Topps has taken an innovative approach to capturing no-hitters as they happen through its Topps NOW® series. Unlike traditional annual sets, Topps NOW® offers real-time cards printed on demand, commemorating events the day after they occur. This has allowed collectors to obtain no-hitter cards within 24 hours of the performance, preserving these historic moments in near real-time.
For example, when Joe Musgrove threw the first no-hitter in San Diego Padres history in 2021, Topps NOW® quickly released a special card (#58) celebrating the achievement. Similarly, cards for recent no-hitters by pitchers like Spencer Turnbull (2021) and Dylan Cease (2024) have given fans instant access to fresh memorabilia. This dynamic approach ensures that the magic of no-hitters continues to be immortalized in new and exciting ways for collectors.
The Legacy of No-Hitters in Card Collecting
No-hitters are among the most exhilarating events in baseball, and Topps has been deliberate ensuring that these moments live on through its cards. Whether highlighting legends like Koufax and Ryan or celebrating modern aces like Verlander, Topps has played an essential role in preserving the sport’s most unforgettable pitching performances.
As new generations of pitchers add their names to the list of no-hit artists, you can be sure that Topps will be there to capture the magic, one card at a time.
