2017 Topps Throwback Thursday Baseball Makes New from Old
Jump directly to the 2017 Topps Throwback Thursday checklist.
2017 Topps Throwback Thursday makes new cards from old designs. Not that the concept is a new one from the card maker.
Like last year, the idea is to mash up recognizable elements from their large library of products and give them a different spin. Each week, a new mini set is released with a new theme and a different design.
2017 Topps Throwback Thursday is part of the company’s portfolio of online exclusives. Sets of six cards are available on the Topps website for one week at a cost of $19.99. Lots of three sets are $49.99. Cards are printed to order so there will be fluctuations in print runs from week to week.
While baseball was the main focus in 2016 and will likely be once again, elements from other sports and licenses are integrated as well. Usually, that means using a familiar layout from another sport or entertainment title and porting it over to baseball. However, it can also mean cards for things like Star Wars or other Topps licenses.
Kicking off 2017 Topps Throwback Thursday were six cards centered around the 2017 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees. Using the 1988 Topps Glossy All-Star insert design, Jeff Bagwell, Ivan Rodriguez and Tim Raines each received a card. The second half of the checklist featured former teammates.
Heading into the release of 2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball, the second set highlights players who have been #1 in the flagship set.
After taking a break for a couple of weeks, the third set of 2017 Topps Throwback Thursday cards looked at baseball players who were also played competitive basketball. Baseball photos mix with the 1957-58 Topps Basketball design.
Set 4 focuses on key 2017 rookies. Using the Rookie Stars subset design from 1962 Topps Baseball, the crop includes an early Yoan Moncada Chicago White Sox card.
The start of March saw 2017 Topps Heritage Baseball arrive, which takes inspiration from 1968 Topps. Sticking with the ’68 theme is the fifth set of 2017 Topps Throwback Thursday cards. Using the burlap design, the six cards highlight players from the ’60s and ’70s who never had a solo Rookie Card.
Set 6 came out about the same time as the 2017 World Baseball Classic kicked off. Six players from the tournament are highlighted with the 1988 Topps Baseball design. 1988 Topps Traded did have some international flavor with the inclusion of Team USA cards.
Continuing on through the season, many themes took advantage of the hot rookie crop, working the likes of Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and more into the mix. Themese included 70 Years of Bowman, No-Hitters and memorable Home Run Derby performances.
2017 Topps Throwback Thursday Checklist
New cards and prints runs will be added as they’re announced each week. Missed out or just want a specific card? Click on the links to see what’s on eBay.
Set 1: Hall of Fame Class
Date: January 19-26
Inspiration: 1988 Topps Glossy All-Stars Baseball
Print Run: 327 sets
1 Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros
2 Craig Biggio, Houston Astros
3 Tim Raines, Montreal Expos
4 Gary Carter, Montreal Expos
5 Ivan Rodriguez, Texas Rangers
6 Nolan Ryan, Texas Rangers
Set 2: No. 1 Players
Date: January 26-February 2
Inspiration: 1952 Topps Baseball
Print Run: 1,049 sets
7 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox
8 Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves
9 Nolan Ryan, Texas Rangers
10 Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
11 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
12 Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
Set 3: Baseball/Basketball Crossover Athletes
Date: February 16-23
Inspiration: 1957-58 Topps Basketball
Print Run: 339 sets
13 Satchel Paige, Cleveland Indians
14 Lou Brock, St. Louis Cardinals
15 Fergie Jenkins, Chicago Cubs
16 Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres
17 Dave Winfield, San Diego Padres
18 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers
Set 4: 2017 Rookies
Date: February 23-March 2
Inspiration: 1962 Topps Baseball “Rookie Stars”
Print Run: 1,329 sets
19 Andrew Benintendi, Boston Red Sox
20 Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
21 Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox
22 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
23 Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates
24 Dansby Swanson, Atlanta Braves
Set 5: HOF Players Who Deserve Their Own Rookie Cards
Date: March 2-9
Inspiration: 1968 Topps Baseball
Print Run: 475 sets
25 Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds
26 Nolan Ryan, New York Mets
27 Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates
28 Carlton Fisk, Boston Red Sox
29 Paul Molitor, Milwaukee Brewers
30 Andre Dawson, Montreal Expos
Set 6: World Baseball Classic Players
Date: March 9-16
Inspiration: 1988 Topps Baseball
Print Run: 309 sets
31 TBA
32 Nori Aoki, Team Japan
33 Manny Machado, Team Dominican Republic
34 Miguel Cabrera, Team Venezuela
35 Carlos Correa, Team Puerto Rico
36 Xander Bogaerts, Team Netherlands
Set 7: MLB Stars Representing Their Countries
Date: March 23-30
Inspiration: 1986 Topps Football
Print Run: 353 sets
37 Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
38 Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati Reds
39 Ichiro, Seattle Mariners
40 Ivan Rodriguez, Texas Rangers
41 Yoenis Cespedes, New York Mets
42 Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
Set 8: 1957 Topps 60th Anniversary
Date: March 30-April 6
Inspiration: 1957 Topps Baseball
Print Run: 615 sets
43 Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
44 Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
45 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
46 Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
47 Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
48 Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
Set 9: MLB Stars Who Have Worn #42 to Honor Jackie Robinson
Date: April 13-20
Inspiration: 1988 Topps Baseball
Print Run: 398 sets
49 Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
50 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
51 Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners
52 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
53 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
54 Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics
Set 10: Greatest #1 Overall Draft Picks
Date: April 27-May 4
Inspiration: 1990 Topps Football
Print Run: 382 sets
55 Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners
56 Adrian Gonzalez, Florida Marlins
57 Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
58 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
59 Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
60 Dansby Swanson, Arizona Diamondbacks
Set 11: Icons Honored with Retired Numbers
Date: May 11-18
Inspiration: 2008 Topps Baseball
Print Run: 620 sets
61 Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics
62 Mike Piazza, New York Mets
63 Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox
64 Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
65 Pedro Martinez, Boston Red Sox
66 Nolan Ryan, Texas Rangers
67 Wade Boggs, Boston Red Sox
Set 12: Players That Shine with the Bat and the Glove
Date: May 25-June 1
Inspiration: 1956 Topps Baseball
Print Run: 1,086 sets
68 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
69 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
70 Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
71 Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
72 Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
73 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
Set 13: Celebrating 70 Years of Bowman Baseball
Date: June 1-8
Inspiration: 1954 Bowman Baseball
Print Run: 1,475 sets
74 Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
75 Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs
76 Bradley Zimmer, Cleveland Indians
77 Andrew Benintendi, Boston Red Sox
78 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
79 Trey Mancini, Baltimore Orioles
Set 14: No-Hitters
Date: June 8-15
Inspiration: 1990 Topps Baseball – 5,000 K subset
Print Run: 289 sets
80 Edinson Volquez, Miami Marlins
81 Nolan Ryan, California Angels
82 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
83 Randy Johnson, Seattle Mariners
84 Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox
85 Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles Dodgers
Set 15: Great Home Run Rookie Seasons
Date: July 6-13
Inspiration: 1967 Topps Baseball
Print Run: 2,245 sets
86 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
87 Mike Piazza, Los Angeles Dodgers
88 Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
89 Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics
90 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
91 Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Set 16: HR Derby Legends
Date: July 27-August 3
Inspiration: 1996 Topps Baseball Star Power
Print Run: 1,118 sets
92 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
93 David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
94 Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
95 Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics
96 Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics
97 Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox
Set 17: In-Season Call-Ups
Date: August 3-10
Inspiration: 1976 Topps Baseball All-Time All-Stars
Print Run: 1,029 sets
98 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
99 Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
100 Andrew Benintendi, Boston Red Sox
101 Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
102 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
103 Corey Seager, Los Angeles Angels
Set 18: Summer’s Hottest Hitters
Date: August 17-24
Inspiration: 1991 Topps Beverly Hills 90210 Stickers
Print Run: 333
104 Andrew Benintendi, Boston Red Sox
105 Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
106 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
107 Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
108 Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
109 Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
Set 19: MLB Players Weekend Nicknames
Date: September 7-14
Inspiration: 1984 Topps Baseball
Print Run: 892 sets
110 Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels
111 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
112 Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
113 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
114 Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies
115 Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
Set 20: Potential Gridiron Greats
Date: September 14-21
Inspiration: 1984 Topps Football
Print Run: TBA
116 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
117 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
118 Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
119 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
120 Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
121 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Set 21: MLB Sluggers Set Single-Season Record
Date: September 21-28
Inspiration: 1978 Topps Baseball – Record Breakers
Print Run: 606
122 Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
123 Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
124 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
125 J.D. Martinez, Arizona Diamondbacks
126 Edwin Encarnacion, Cleveland Indians
127 Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers
Set 22: Rookie Records
Date: September 28-October 5
Inspiration: 1987 Topps Baseball – Record Breakers
Print Run: 1,166
128 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
129 Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
130 Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics
131 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
132 Ichiro, Seattle Mariners
133 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox
Set 23: Postseason Teams
Date: October 5-12
Inspiration: 1975 Topps Baseball – Team Cards
Print Run: 564
134 Los Angeles Dodgers
135 Boston Red Sox
136 Chicago Cubs
137 Cleveland Indians
138 Houston Astros
139 Washington Nationals
140 New York Yankees
141 Arizona Diamondbacks
Set 24: Superb Celebrations
Date: October 12-19
Inspiration: 1959 Topps Baseball – Baseball Thrills
Print Run: 591
142 Aaron Judge – “Aaron Judge Gives Mock Interview in Dugout”, New York Yankees
143 Francisco Lindor/Bradley Zimmer – “High Fives for Lindor and Zimmer”, Cleveland Indians
144 Jose Altuve/Carlos Correa – “Houston…We Have Lift Off”, Houston Astros
145 Andrew Benintendi/Mookie Betts/Jackie Bradley Jr. – “Killer B’s – Benintendi, Betts, Bradley Jr.”, Boston Red Sox
146 Brian Goodwin/Bryce Harper – “Harper and Goodwin Low Five Celebrates Win”, Washington Nationals
147 Kris Bryant/Anthony Rizzo/Javier Baez – “Chicago’s Star Trio Embrace After Wild Win”, Chicago Cubs
Set 25: ALCS & NLCS Players
Date: October 19-26
Inspiration: 1974 Topps Monster Initials
Print Run: TBA
148 Aaron Judge
148 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
149 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
150 Didi Gregorius, New York Yankees
151 Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
152 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
153 Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
154 Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
155 Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
Comments? Questions? Contact Ryan Cracknell on Twitter @tradercracks.
Interesting concept. Were I Topps, I might have made a Nolan Ryan Astros variant that maybe covered 10-20% of the entire print run.
Seeing the card of the Dodgers heads reminds me of when my dad gave me his collection of 1950s to 1960s cards when I was 11 and I cut the heads out of every player and glued them to sheets of paper! Still makes me sick to my stomach over 40 years later.