This is the 7th year that I have gone through and hand picked my favorite cards from the past year, and this is by far the most difficult time I've had doing so. For me, a great photograph always catches my eye, and this year the majority of the cards have been "Meh". I don't even have a Stadium Club set to fall back on this year for excellent photography. The inserts, with a few exceptions, are just uninspiring. Still, I pressed on and found some gems. Let's see if you agree.
10. 2025 Topps Heritage
#6 Danny Jansen (RB)
Sometimes a cool historical moment is worthy of making the list, and this abnormal record certainly qualifies. On it's own it's an OK photograph. I appreciate the Fenway backdrop of course, and how often do you see 2 umpires on a baseball card?
9. 2025 Topps Finest - Finest Timelines
#FT-19 Ted Williams
Another cool historical moment card. The 1999 All-Star Game, despite an amazing pitching performance by Pedro Martinez, was overshadowed by one of the greatest pre-game ceremonies in all of sports. The All-Century Team brought together arguably the greatest collection of baseball players in one spot, and all of them were in awe of the mighty Ted Williams.
8. 2025 Topps - Gameday Drip
#GD-12 Jarren Duran
This card is so awful it's amazing. I find the slang term "drip" obnoxious, but it fits here because it looks like Duran is soaked in pastels. Does his grandmother know he cut up her sofa to make that? Seriously though, kudos to Jarren for having the self confidence to pull this off.
7. 2025 Topps
#577 Trevor Story
The photos for this year's base set have been uninspiring at best. Story's card was the only one that even remotely stood out to me. It benefits from the all-grass background, but it seems it could have been centered/cropped better. Thanks to Johnny's Shadow Shots series, I did notice and appreciate the glove shadow on his chest as well.
6. 2025 Choice Worchester Red Sox
#13 Jhostynxon Garcia
This minor league card has a better jump shot, although not as clear. I like how he's not looking where he's jumping, and starting to tuck in his non-gloved arm (or perhaps preparing to stretch out a la Superman). Garcia has one of the best nicknames ever ("The Password") and I wish him well in Pittsburgh.
5. 2025 Bowman - Anime
#BA-29 Rafael Devers
I'm not a huge anime fan, but I have a deep appreciation for it. I grew up on Volton, have watched numerous Studio Ghibli films, and spent many college nights watching Cowboy BeeBop. Even recently, as one of my daughters has gotten into it, I've sat and watched some with her. This card amuses me not only for the anime art style, but for also incorporating an old-style television. (Would any of the younger generation even know what that brown rectangle on the right is supposed to be?)
4. 2025 Topps Chrome - Ultraviolet All-Stars
#UV-15 Pedro Martinez
I don't own any of this insert set, but I really want to see what it looks like under a black light! This card reminds me of something I'd have hanging in my dorm room. Groovy!
3. 2025 Bowman Chrome - It Came To The League
#IT-19 Roman Anthony
Another thing I grew up on were old cheesy movies. MST3K was regular viewing to me, and so I love this homage to to old sci-fi films from the 50's. This card is very well done, and I love the tag line in the upper corner. Very fitting for Roman Anthony, who is poised to be the next great superstar in Boston.
2. 2025 Topps Update - Most Valuable
#MV-39 Ted Williams
Sometimes, Topps does a great job recreating subsets. Outside of the Topps logo, it looks almost exactly like the 1961 Topps MVP cards. This Williams card almost looks like it could be a part of that original set. (Ironically, that set started with the MVP winners from 1950, the year before Williams' last award). What really sets this card apart from me is the detail in the head shot. You look at that hat, and you can practically see the texture and know that hats aren't made like that anymore. You look at those crows feet around Williams' eyes and know the man has miles on his speedometer.
1. 2025 Topps Chrome - Fanatical
#FAN-2 Rafael Devers
This card ended up as my favorite, and it has little to do with the player and everything to do with the beautiful chaos surrounding him. The coach in the forefront, speaking to someone off view. The wealth of activity in the media pit. Then of course there are the fans - on one side of Devers, a guy taking a photo on his phone, two brothers/friends standing on the other side, even a face popping through his arm. So much stuff going on in this picture! I love it.
So there you have it! Do you agree with my rankings? Any cards that I might have missed?
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