In the realm of modern-day sports card collecting a 2020 Ichiro card limited to 1,334 copies normally wouldn’t draw that much attention. Especially if its not a rookie, autograph, and/or relic. The Topps Project 2020 set has completely taken that idea and flipped it around. Print runs of that quantity are considered to be very low when it comes to this set.
Near the end of March, Topps began selling their online-exclusive Project 2020 set. Twenty iconic Topps baseball cards ranging from 1952 all the way to 2011 will receive an artistic twist from twenty popular artists. When the set is complete it will contain (400) cards. Before it comes to an end, I’d like to see one of the Jackie Robinson cards picture a barge in the background dumping cases of 1952 Topps High Number into the Hudson River. This actually happened in the late 1950s when Topps wanted to get rid of old inventory. An artistic take on that event in card history would be neat to see.
No Philadelphia Phillies are in the mix for the Project 2020 set. I’m hoping that if we get a Project 2021… 2022… 2023 we see at least one Phillies card. With that being said, here are my top five Phillies cards I’d like to see used for this product.
#1 – Mike Schmidt 1974 Topps #283
Mike Schmidt’s rookie card comes from 1973 Topps where he is pictured alongside John Hilton and Ron Cey. I don’t believe Topps would use that card because the other two players are on it. That’s probably why they didn’t use Nolan Ryan’s 1968 Topps rookie this time around, and instead went with his 1969 Topps card. Sticking with that train of thought, Mike Schmidt’s 1974 Topps #283 would be the most logical decision.
#2 – Steve Carlton 1972 Topps Traded #751
The facial expression alone on this card should make it worthy. Steve Carlton’s first card in a Phillies uniform can be found in the 1972 Topps Traded subset. I would’ve suggested using his rookie, but that has him in a Cardinals uniform and paired with Fritz Ackley.
#3 – Richie Ashburn 1956 Topps #120
When Richie Ashburn’s rookie was released in 1949 Bowman, Topps and Bowman were two separate companies. In 1955 Topps purchased Bowman and the rest is history. Even though Topps owns the Bowman brand now I don’t think they’ll use a Bowman card that was issued prior to their ownership. 1952, 1954, and 1955 Topps designs have already been used for Project 2020. The Topps Living Set already utilizes the 1953 design. I could definitely see his 1956 Topps #120 being used.
#4 – Fergie Jenkins 1966 Topps Rookie Stars #254
The Phillies aren’t the first team you think about when talking about Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins. He signed with the Phillies in 1962, and debuted with the team in 1965. A year later he was traded to the Cubs. Because his rookie has Bill Sorrell on it, I highly doubt this card would ever be used. Nothing against Bill Sorrell, but its basically the same situation as Mike Schmidt’s rookie card.
#5 – Phillie Phanatic 2007 Topps Opening Day #206
The Phillie Phanatic is the greatest mascot of all-time. We’re lucky he received a Topps NOW card in April 2018 celebrating his 40th anniversary. I’d like to see him included in more Topps online-exclusive products. A Topps Living Set card would be cool. His first Topps card can be found in 2007 Opening Day.
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