Topps 1958 Baseball Card Set: Top 10 Cards to Collect

In 1958 Topps continued its virtual monopoly of the baseball card market with a beautifully designed and colorful set that featured the greatest baseball players of the era. Released in two series that year and insert into packs that cost only one or five cents a piece, the cards now command high premiums in the hobby's secondary market with a near mint set valued at $6,000. Though the set does not feature the rookie bonanza that some of the eras earlier set did, it does include the rookie card of Yankee record setting home run hitter Roger Maris, as well as Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda. Here then are the top 10 cards to collect from the 1958 Topps Baseball card set.

Mickey Mantle, Yankees (card #150):

Like he does in most of sets of the era, Yankee icon Mickey Mantle commands the highest price tag in this set. A youthful portrait of Mantle in his Yankee cap is featured against an orange back ground on card #150 of the set. Mantle, who at the time was two years removed from his Triple Crown season of 1956, would hit 42 homers that year to go along with a .302 batting average. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $600 - $1000

Ted Williams, Red Sox (card #1):

The 1958 set marked the last year that Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams would be featured in a Topps set during his playing career. Williams, who would go on to be featured in an exclusive set for rival Fleer the following year, is featured in card #1 of this set, which makes finding the card in near mint condition additionally hard. Like Mantle, a portrait of a rather somber looking Williams is featured against a yellow background. Despite being 39 that season, Williams would win his sixth and last batting title with a .328 average, hitting 26 homers in the process. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $350 - $600

Roger Maris, Indians (card #47) Rookie Card

Featured in a Cleveland Indians uniform and still a few years away from his record breaking 1961 season for the Yankees, Roger Maris is featured on card #47. Maris who that year would go on to hit 19 homers, would not begin to display the power that won him back to back MVP awards until his trade to New York in 1960. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $300 - $500

Hank Aaron, Braves (card #30)

All-time baseball great Hank Aaron appears on card #30, which comes with a player name variation, the yellow name being the scarcest and commanding a higher premium. Aaron, whose 1957 MVP stats are displayed on the back of his card, was coming off a season which saw him hit 44 homers with 132 RBIs the year before. Though the 24 year old could not duplicate those numbers in 1958, he nevertheless would finish3^rd in the MVP vote that year. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $125 - $600

Roberto Clemente, Pirates (card #52)

A collector favorite, Roberto Clemente is shown in a batting stance against a yellow back drop in cad # 52 of the 1958 set. The card comes with a variation with the team's name featured in both white and yellow. The yellow variation commands a higher premium, and it's valued a few hundred dollars higher than the white. Far from being the star he would later become, the 23 year old Clemente would hit just .289 that year, collecting 150 of his 3,000 lifetime hits in the process. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $175 - $500

Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron (card #418)

Card #418 of the set features the two great sluggers under the heading of "World Series Batting Foe." The card which shows a beautifully taken picture of both homerun hitters in their prime would make a great addition for either Mantle or Aaron fan. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $250 - $400

Willie Mays, Giants (card #5)

The "Say Hey Kid" Willie Mays is featured with his contagious smile on card #5 of the set. The Giant's great would enjoy his typical impressive season leading the league in steals (38), while hitting .347 with 29 homers. Mays would also collect the second of his multiple gold gloves that season. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $175 - $300

Sandy Koufax, Dodgers (card #157)

Only 22 in 1958, Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax began to show the flashes of greatness the season before when he would strikeout 122 hitters in only 104.3 innings of work. Koufax would end his shorten career claiming the NL Cy Young award in 3 out of his last five season. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $150 - $250

Mickey Mantle, All-Star (card #487)

Though triple printed, Mickey Mantle's All-Star card still commands a high price tag. Showing Mantle after having swung the bat against a star filled red back ground, the card is a must to own for any Mantle fan. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $125 - $200

Orlando Cepeda, Giants (card #343) Rookie Card

The "Baby Bull" Orlando Cepeda , would have a rookie year for the ages in 1958, hitting .312 with 20 homers and 96 RBIs despite being only 20 during the season. Cepeda would go on to enjoy great success for both The Giants and the Cardinals in a Hall of Fame career that would see him hit 379 homers. Card Price Range in Near Mint Condition: $60 - $100

Sources:

www.beckett.com

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