Office Hours | Underrated Topps Insert Sets

Giving Inserts the Love They Deserve

Base cards form the foundation of any Topps release, but for collectors with an eye for flair, storytelling, and scarcity, treasures are sometimes found among the inserts. These specially designed subsets — different from parallels — offer collectors a thematic or stylistic twist and are sometimes overlooked in favor of flashier hits. But seasoned hobbyists recognize that insert sets can offer a significant mix of nostalgia, artwork, and value.

What is an Insert Set?

An insert set is a group of cards that are separate from the base set, typically included in packs at fixed odds. They often have their own unique numbering, design, and theme — celebrating achievements, players, or concepts. They’re meant to add depth and excitement to a product’s narrative.

Unlike parallels (like Gold, Rainbow Foil, or Refractors), which mirror the base card design but with cosmetic changes, insert cards are original. They might honor milestone moments, introduce new visual styles, or pay homage to baseball’s golden eras.

Why Collect Inserts?

Inserts are fun for three main reasons:

1. Design Freedom – Topps designers can get playful or artistic in a way the base set can’t always accommodate.
2. Thematic Consistency – Inserts often follow a narrative or idea across an entire release.
3. Chase Factor – Some insert sets have low print runs, making key cards surprisingly valuable.

Below is a curated list of notable and underrated insert sets — spanning from the junk wax era to the present — each with its own unique appeal and standout cards.

1993 Topps Baseball Black Gold

In an era dominated by base card bloat, the 1993 Black Gold insert set stood out for its futuristic shine. These cards shimmered with a black-and-gold foil overlay. They were Topps’ first real experiment in building insert set prestige into the Flagship line.

The cards were available in A/B/C/D groupings or as mail-in redemptions to assemble the full 44-card set. Though mass-produced by today’s standards, they still carry nostalgic weight.

Most sought-after card:

• Barry Bonds (#1) — One of the most impressive cards from the early days of Bonds’ historic career.

1997 Topps Baseball Sweet Strokes

The Sweet Strokes insert in the 1997 Topps set was one of the early examples of combining elegant design with a pure theme: in this case, the art of hitting. With a watercolor-like backdrop and foil accents, these cards celebrated smooth-swinging stars in a way that felt ahead of its time.

Though not rare in absolute numbers, they are criminally underappreciated in collector circles today.

Most sought-after card:

• Ken Griffey Jr. (#SS6) — His graceful swing and star power make this a low-key gem for 1990s insert fans.

1996 Topps Baseball Mickey Mantle Commemorative Set

In 1996, Topps rolled out a tribute to one of the all-time greats. The Mickey Mantle Commemorative Insert Set offered reprints of the legendary Topps cards from the golden age of the 1950s and 60s.

It marked the beginning of Topps’ long-running practice of celebrating Mantle with special cards, and collectors at the time were quick to stash them.

Most sought-after card:

• Mickey Mantle (#1) — The first card in the set, a recapitulation of the famous 1952 card, spotlighting his return to the Topps fold, still draws attention today.

1998 Topps Baseball Clout Nine

This strikingly designed insert set from 1998 featured the nine most dangerous hitters in baseball, according to Topps — and the design lives up to the name. With bold foil, stylized fonts, and a staggering lineup, Clout Nine was a truly unique subset.

These cards were not particularly plentiful, and the players featured — a dream lineup of sluggers — make them a standout collectible for fans of the late ’90s power era.

Most sought-after card:

• Ken Griffey Jr. (#C8) — A dynamic card of Junior at the peak of his superstardom, complete with a glowing aura of “clout.”

2023 Topps Baseball Series 1 All-Aces

One of the most beloved modern insert sets among design-minded collectors, All-Aces debuted in 2023 Topps Series 1 and immediately turned heads. With its vintage playing card motif, slick matte feel, and stylized pitcher portraits, the set struck a perfect balance between modern production and retro flair.

While not ultra-rare, the insert has become a quiet Hobby favorite, especially among collectors who love pitcher-centric content.

Most sought-after cards:

• Shohei Ohtani (#AA-11) — Anything Ohtani is hot, but the All-Aces card in particular showcases his elite mound presence.
• Satchel Paige (#AA-48) — A legend rendered in a modern insert with vintage flavor, hitting with cross-generational appeal.

2019 Topps Flagship Baseball 150 Years of Baseball

Released as part of Topps’ 2019 flagship product line — across Series 1, Series 2, and Update — the 150 Years of Professional Baseball insert set was designed to commemorate everything from iconic players and legendary teams to milestone moments. It’s a sprawling set that mixes current stars with Hall of Famers and historic events, all unified by a clean, celebratory design featuring the “150 Years” shield emblem.

Most sought-after cards:

• Classic legends, especially Babe Ruth (#1), Jackie Robinson (#17), and Mike Trout (#3) — The print runs for most of these cards were between 500 and 2,000, making them especially noteworthy.

2022 Topps Baseball Update Series Diamond Greats Die-Cuts

Found in 2022 Topps Update, Diamond Greats Die-Cuts was a quietly excellent insert set that featured Hall of Fame legends cut into gem-shaped cards. The unusual shape, sharp design, and checklist packed with icons made it one of the better tribute inserts in recent memory.

These cards were printed with clean foil edges and a crisp layout that felt both modern and respectful of the game’s history.

Most sought-after card:

• Jackie Robinson (#DGDC-30) — A gorgeous die-cut tribute to one of baseball’s most important figures, this card has become a staple of Robinson-focused collections.

Why Inserts Matter

While The Hobby often pivots around rare hits, autos, and limited parallels, insert sets sometimes seem to carry the soul of the sport and the brand. They’re where Topps gets to play — to innovate visually, pay tribute, or celebrate artistry — and they reward those who look beyond the obvious.

For new collectors, inserts are affordable and accessible. For veterans, they’re nostalgic, thematic, and often beautifully designed. The underrated ones — like the Diamond Greats Die-Cuts, All-Aces, or Clout Nine subsets — remind us that collecting isn’t just about value. It’s about style, story, and sometimes… surprise.

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