The Modern Era: Relics, Autographs and Innovation
In recent decades, baseball cards have undergone a transformation. No longer just printed images, cards now include autographs, memorabilia, and real-time highlights.
In 1990, Upper Deck released the first certified MLB autograph card inserted into packs, when Reggie Jackson signed just over 2,500 cards for what was called the 1990 Upper Deck baseball high series. Even earlier, in 1976, the Tulsa Oilers (then the minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) issued a team set that included autographed cards of Satchel Paige and Paul Dean, hinting at what the future of collecting would hold.
1976 GOOFY’S Satchel Paige and Paul Dean signed cards.
“Source: SCP Auctions”
1990 Upper Deck Reggie Jackson Signed Card, designed by Vernon Wells Sr. (Father of the Blue Jays’ Gold Glove Centre Fielder!)
“Source: Beckett”
2002 Upper-Deck Sweet Spot Fergie Jenkins Game-Used Bat Relic Card. A native of Chatham, Ontario, Jenkins was inducted into CBHOF in 1987 and into Cooperstown in 1991.
“Source: Live Auctioneers”
2002 Upper-Deck Stars of the Game Larry Walker Game-Used Jersey Relic Card. From Maple Ridge, BC, Walker was inducted into CBHOF in 2009 and into Cooperstown in 2020.
“Source: Ebay.com”
One of the most popular developments in recent years is the relic card, which is a card that contains an actual piece of a player’s uniform, bat, glove, or other equipment. These began appearing in 1997 as part of Upper Deck’s innovative designs, transforming cards into miniature time capsules of the game.
In 2023, Topps introduced the MLB Debut Patch series, where players wore special patches on the day of their major league debut. After the game, the patch was used to create a one-of-one autographed card. Perhaps the most famous example hit the news when 11-year-old Jack Callahan from Los Angeles pulled the debut patch card for Pirates All-Star pitcher Paul Skenes on Christmas morning in 2024. The one-of-a-kind collectable later sold to Dick’s Sporting Goods for $1.11 million. The popularity of these cards have now also made their way across the border, with Blue Jays reliever, Yariel Rodriguez’s MLB Debut card going for $5000.
Paul Skenes made his MLB Debut on May 11, 2024 against the Chicago Cubs.
“Source: Dick’s Auctions”
On April 13, 2024, Yariel Rodriguez struck out 6 batters in 3.2 innings to help the Blue Jays beat Colorado in his Debut.
“Source: Ebay.com”
In his MLB debut against the Oakland Athletics, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 1 for 4, lining a double down the first base line in the 9th inning for his first career MLB hit. The Blue Jays won 4-2.
Since 2016, the Topps Now program has taken a real-time approach to collecting. Each week, Topps produces limited edition cards highlighting the biggest plays and stories in Major League Baseball. One example was created in April of 2019 when a young third baseman by the name of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a double off of MLB veteran Yusmeiro Petit for his first knock in the big leagues.
In June, 2025 alone, two standout moments for Canadian baseball made headlines. On June 10, Toronto native, Denzel Clarke stunned fans by scaling the outfield wall at Angel Stadium to rob Nolan Schanuel of a home run, a catch many have called one of the greatest of all time. Topps used three different images to show the three steps Clarke took to make his terrific catch and give us one of the best-looking Topps Now cards yet!
Just one week later on June 17, Bo Bichette and the heavy-hitting sophomore, Addison Barger hit back-to-back home runs to tie and then walk-off the Arizona Diamondbacks, electrifying the Rogers Centre and making their Topps Now card instant collector gold.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Denzel Clarke has made some of the greatest catches in MLB history and has only been in the league since May of 2025.
“Source: Topps”
Bo Bichette and Addison Barger have been key pieces for the Blue Jays’ very successful 2025 regular season campaign.
“Source: Topps”