Designer's Childhood Jersey Inspires Topps 75th Anniversary

Adam Schwartz still keeps his first baseball jersey tucked away in his closet, even though the black Mets Jose Reyes model stopped fitting him two decades ago. That childhood gift from his parents just became the inspiration for one of the most prestigious projects in sports collectibles.

Schwartz's design won the coveted assignment to create Topps Baseball Series 1 for 2026, marking the company's 75th anniversary. His winning idea features textures and colors inspired by modern baseball jerseys, matching each player's team uniform style.

The path to victory wasn't simple. Over 15 months, a dozen anonymous designers submitted 25 concepts to six judges who gradually narrowed the field to five finalists. Topps even printed physical versions of the top cards so judges could experience pulling them from a pack.

Schwartz had actually submitted a similar jersey-inspired design in 2025, but it didn't win because judges found it too bold. This year, he refined the concept to balance innovation with the traditional clean borders that Topps collectors expect.

The timing couldn't be more meaningful. Topps Baseball releases each February when pitchers and catchers report, signaling spring's arrival and a fresh season of hope. For 75 years, fans have celebrated this tradition by tearing open their first pack, hoping to glimpse legends like Mickey Mantle, Ken Griffey Jr., or Shohei Ohtani.

"One thing I always tell our designers is you should be able to look at any of these designs 50 years from now and know exactly what year that card is from," said Clay Luraschi, Senior VP of Product at Topps. The jersey texture achieves exactly that.

Why This Inspires

Schwartz's journey shows how childhood memories can fuel professional dreams. He was hired straight out of college a decade ago and worked on everything from Star Wars to Stranger Things, but designing the flagship baseball set was always his bucket list goal.

His parents, who aren't even collectors themselves, celebrated the news with genuine excitement. His dad jokingly asked if the packs would include bubble gum, the pink rectangle that disappeared 35 years ago but remains part of Topps lore.

The 2026 collection includes 350 base cards plus special inserts celebrating the company's history. The "Iconic Topps Buybacks" feature will randomly insert redemption cards for the top 75 cards in brand history, including that legendary 1952 Mickey Mantle.

Today marks the start of a new chapter as collectors nationwide open their first packs and create their own stories, continuing a tradition that connects generations through cardboard, color, and the enduring magic of America's pastime.