Shohei Ohtani No. 1: Topps Baseball Series 1 Leadoff Cards
Last week, we learned that 2025 Topps Series 1 Baseball has awarded its coveted #1 card to 3-time MVP Shohei Ohtani. Voters had the chance to choose who gets to leadoff the set since 2016, and it's hardly a surprise to see the global superstar take top honors. The news comes quick on the heels of Ohtani's latest entry in The Hobby, 2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP, which dropped at the end of January. A force in the collecting world, fresh off the first-ever 50/50 season, Ohtani feels like a great fit to get the new set started.
A Look at the Set That Inspired 2025 Topps Series 1 Baseball
This is the second time Ohtani has been awarded the top slot, after leading off in 2022. Last year, Ronald Acuna Jr. got things started, after winning the 2023 NL MVP in unanimous fashion, following his own historic 41 HR/73 SB campaign.
Looking back, the #1 card features some of the greatest to ever play the game. Mike Trout, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Pedro Martinez are among modern leadoff entries. Ted Williams got the honor three times in a five-year stretch. Hank Aaron appeared in the #1 slot a record five times, as did A-Rod. A Mint 10 of 1975 Aaron's #1, celebrating his breaking of the All-Time home run record, went for $32,400 at auction in March of last year. A Williams' 1958 #1 Mint 9 fetched $66,000 last December.
Legend Jackie Robinson was awarded the #1 slot in 1953 Topps Baseball, and it remains one of his most iconic cards. A PSA 8.5 sold at auction for $63,133 in February 2024.
Shohei Ohtani Makes a Change - Hobby Impact
Yogi Berra started it all off with the #1 card in 1951. His name on the card reads Larry (Yogi) Berra. Well, as Berra said, it ain't over til it's over. Shohei Ohtani continues a tradition in The Hobby with his 2025 Topps Baseball Series 1 #1 card.
Michael Terry is a writer based in Brooklyn. He specializes in sports, culture, and collecting. His work has appeared at Topps RIPPED, ESPN, Grantland, Vice Sports, and more.