Since the first Topps set came out in 1952, 19 different teams were represented with card #1 in the set.
The Cubs were not among those 19...until now.
Twenty of the thirty teams have had a #1 card. The ten still without are:
Marlins, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Rays, Royals, Twins, Indians, A's, Mariners, and Astros.
And which team has had the #1 card the most? It shouldn't surprise you.
There are two teams tied for the most #1 cards, with five apiece, the Yankees (62, 05, 06, 09, 15) and the Red Sox (54, 57, 58, 92, 03).
Here's how the others have fared:
Four Times - Giants (55, 66, 95, 97) and Brewers (93, 10, 11, 12)
Three Times - Dodgers (52, 53, 94), Orioles (67, 71, 01), and Angels (07, 14, 16)
Two Times - Pirates (61, 72), Mets (70, 90), Padres (96, 98), and Rangers (91, 03)
Once - White Sox (60), Braves (74), Reds (86), Blue Jays (99), Cardinals (00), Phillies (04), Tigers (05), Nationals (13), and Cubs (17)
There were also many years when a team wasn't necessarily the focus:
AL President - 1956
Commissioner - 1959
League Leaders - 63, 64, 65, 68, 69, 77, 79, 81
All Time Home Run Leaders - 1973
HIghlights - 75, 80, 82, 84
Record Breakers - 76. 78, 83, 85, 87, 88, 89
I'm actually surprised to see the Jays had a year where they represented the first card... At the same time, It doesn't shock me that it wasn't 1993 or 1994..
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for not lumping the Expos with the Nationals.. lol
DeleteHave to admit, I was hoping #1 would be David Ortiz... but you cant argue with Bryant, especially since no Cub had ever led off a set of Topps flagship.
ReplyDelete2005 Topps has Alex Rodriguez as card #1...not a Detroit Tigers player.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't put much thought into the No. 1 card, but it does surprise me that all of the years that Griffey Jr. was the flag bearer of MLB that he never was No. 1, or that McGwire or Canseco didn't make it with the A's. I am a little surprised, as well, that Topps didn't go with Ortiz as No. 1 with all the hoopla they are doing with his random parallel cards. Or that a Royal hasn't been No. 1 considering all the years with George Brett, two World Series championships, etc. And the Red Sox have only had one the past 25 years.
ReplyDelete