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75 Years of Topps Baseball Card No. 1

The Visual Record of Topps Baseball Card No. 1

Date: Feb 3, 2026
Topics: 2026 Topps Baseball Series 1, 75th Anniversary, Baseball, Education, MLB, Trending
Length: 849 Words
Reading Time: ~5 Minutes

Card No. 1 of every Topps Baseball Series 1 set is always remembered. The player who graces that golden number is the Chosen One, literally and figuratively. Since 1951, the lead-off card has been reserved for the best of the best—Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Nolan Ryan, Aaron Judge, and Shohei Ohtani, to name a few. The No. 1 card has featured individual players, a league president, a commissioner, batting leaders, ERA leaders, World Series champions, home run leaders, the all-time home run king, record breakers, All-Star Rookie Cup recipients, and Future Stars.

Hank Aaron (1963, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76) and Alex Rodriguez (2003, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’09) have each appeared a record five times on card No. 1. Nolan Ryan (1970, ’90, ’91, ’92) has earned four No. 1 cards. Ted Williams (1954, ’57, ’58) and, most recently, Mike Trout (2014, ’16, ’20) have three appearances each.

For 75 years, Topps Baseball Card No. 1 has marked the official starting point of each flagship set. Reserved for legends, league leaders, and modern superstars, the No. 1 card reflects Topps’ evolving design and baseball history from 1951 through today.

See every Topps Baseball Card No. 1 from 1951-2026 below.

Go to the Topps Baseball Card No. 1 Checklist

Topps Baseball Card No. 1 Checklist

2026 Topps Series 1 Baseball Aaron Judge #12025 Topps Series 1 Baseball Shohei Ohtani #12024 Topps Series 1 Baseball Ronald Acuna Jr. #1 2023 Topps Series 1 Baseball Juan Soto #12022 Topps Series 1 Baseball Shohei Ohtani #12021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Fernando Tatis Jr. #1
2020 Topps Series 1 Baseball Mike Trout #1 2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball Ronald Acuna Jr. #12018 Topps Series 1 Baseball Future Stars Aaron Judge #12017 Topps Series 1 Baseball Kris Bryant #12016 Topps Series 1 Baseball Mike Trout #12015 Topps Series 1 Baseball Derek Jeter #1
2014 Topps Series 1 Baseball Mike Trout #12013 Topps Series 1 Baseball Bryce Harper #12012 Topps Series 1 Baseball Ryan Braun #12011 Topps Series 1 Baseball Ryan Braun #12010 Topps Series 1 Baseball Prince Fielder #12009 Topps Series 1 Baseball Alex Rodriguez #1
2008 Topps Series 1 Baseball Alex Rodriguez #12007 Topps Series 1 Baseball John Lackey #12006 Topps Series 1 Baseball Alex Rodriguez #12005 Topps Series 1 Baseball Alex Rodriguez #12004 Topps Series 1 Baseball Jim Thome #12003 Topps Series 1 Baseball Alex Rodriguez #1
2002 Topps Series 1 Baseball Pedro Martinez #12001 Topps Series 1 Baseball Cal Ripken Jr. #12000 Topps Series 1 Baseball Mark McGwire #11999 Topps Series 1 Baseball Roger Clemens #11998 Topps Series 1 Baseball Tony Gwynn #1 1997 Topps Series 1 Baseball Barry Bonds #1
1996 Topps Series 1 Baseball Star Power Tony Gwynn #11995 Topps Series 1 Baseball Frank Thomas #11994 Topps Series 1 Baseball Mike Piazza #11993 Topps Series 1 Baseball Robin Yount #1 1992 Topps Baseball Nolan Ryan #1 1991 Topps Baseball Nolan Ryan #1
1990 Topps Baseball Nolan Ryan #1 1989 Topps Baseball ’88 Record Breaker George Bell #1 1988 Topps Baseball ’87 Record Breakers Vince Coleman #11987 Topps Baseball ’86 Record Breaker Roger Clemens #11986 Topps Baseball Pete Rose #11985 Topps Baseball Record Breaker Carlton Fisk #1
1984 Topps Baseball ’83 Highlight Steve Carlton #11983 Topps Baseball ’82 Record Breaker Tony Armas #11982 Topps Baseball ’81 Highlight Steve Carlton #11981 Topps Baseball ’80 AL/NL Batting Leaders George Brett/ Bill Buckner #11980 Topps Baseball ’79 Record Breakers Lou Brock/ Carl Yastrzemski #11979 Topps Baseball ’78 AL/NL Batting Leaders Rod Carew/ Dave Parker #1
1978 Topps Baseball ’77 Record Breaker Lou Brock #11977 Topps Baseball ’76 AL/NL Batting Leaders George Brett/ Bill Madlock #11976 Topps Baseball ’75 Record Breaker Hank Aaron #11975 Topps Baseball ’74 Highlights Hank Aaron #11974 Topps Baseball New All-Time Home Run King Hank Aaron #11973 Topps Baseball All Time Home Run Leaders Babe Ruth/ Hank Aaron/ Willie Mays #1
1972 Topps Baseball World Champions Pittsburgh Pirates #1 1971 Topps Baseball World Champions Baltimore Orioles #11970 Topps Baseball World Champions NY Mets #11969 Topps Baseball ’68 AL Batting Leaders Carl Yastrzemski/ Danny Cater/ Tony Oliva #11968 Topps Baseball ‘ 68 NL Batting Leaders Bob Clemente/ Tony Gonzalez/ Matty Alou #11967 Topps Baseball The Champs Frank Robinson/ Hank Bauer/ Brooks Robinson #1
1966 Topps Baseball Willie Mays #11965 Topps Baseball ’64 AL Batting Leaders Tony Oliva/ Brooks Robinson/ Elston Howard #1 1964 Topps Baseball ’63 NL ERA Leaders Sandy Koufax/ Dick Ellsworth/ Bob Friend #11963 Topps Baseball ’62 NL Batting Leaders Frank Robinson/Stan Musial/Bill White/ Hank Aaron/ Tommy Davis #11962 Topps Baseball Roger Maris #1 1961 Topps Baseball Dick Groat #1
1960 Topps Baseball Early Wynn #1 1959 Topps Baseball Ford Frick #1 1958 Topps Baseball Ted Williams #11957 Topps Baseball Ted Williams #1 1956 Topps Baseball William Harridge #11955 Topps Baseball Dusty Rhodes #1
1954 Topps Baseball Ted Williams #11953 Topps Baseball Jackie Robinson #11952 Topps Baseball Andy Pafko #11951 Topps Blue Backs Baseball Eddie Yost #11951 Topps Red Backs Baseball Yogi Berra #1

Topps Baseball Card No. 1 FAQs

  • What is Topps Baseball Card No. 1?
    • Topps Baseball Card No. 1 is the first card in each Topps Baseball and Topps Series 1 Baseball set. It traditionally features elite players, league leaders, or historically significant figures.
  • Who has appeared on Card No. 1 the most?
    • Hank Aaron and Alex Rodriguez have appeared on Card No. 1 five times.
  • Is Topps Card No. 1 always a star player?
    • Not always, but it is typically reserved for legends, award winners, or players with major league-wide recognition.
  • When did Topps start the Card No. 1 tradition?
    • The tradition dates back to Topps’ early modern sets beginning in 1951 and has continued consistently since.
  • Are Topps Card No. 1 cards more valuable?
    • While not guaranteed, Card No. 1 often carries added collector interest due to symbolism and player selection.

Key Facts

  • Introduced in 1951 with early Topps Baseball sets
  • Features legends, league leaders, and modern superstars
  • Hank Aaron appeared on Card No. 1 a record five times
  • Continues annually in Topps Series 1 Baseball releases

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