Loupe and Major League Baseball are teaming up to help answer one very important question: What’s the most iconic baseball card of all-time? Is it Ken Griffey Jr.’s 1989 Upper Deck rookie card? Maybe it’s Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps card. There are so many amazing cards throughout the centuries, and we want to crown one the king.
Also, we’re giving away three PSA 10 Mike Trout rookie cards. Read on to find out how to enter to win.
Starting today, MLB is running a 32-card bracket called Top of the Pack Presented by Loupe. Each big league club is represented by one card (along with two additional wild cards), and they’ll duke it out head-to-head until it’s time to name a champion. The bracket is divided into four regions — Post-Expansion, 21st Century, Golden Era, and Off-Center.
How are we going to decide on a winner? You’re going to do it! Head over to the Top of the Pack MLB page today and cast your votes to determine who advances to the second round. On September 29, the finals will start and run through September 30. Later that week, we’ll name the most iconic baseball card of all-time. A decades-long debate finally settled.

Here are the cards that are in the running:
- Arizona Diamondbacks — 1996 Topps Stadium Club Buck Showalter
- Atlanta Braves — 1957 Topps Hank Aaron
- Baltimore Orioles — 1982 Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr. Rookie Card
- Boston Red Sox — 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams Rookie Card
- Chicago Cubs — 1954 Topps Ernie Banks Rookie Card
- Chicago White Sox — 1990 Leaf Frank Thomas Rookie Card
- Cincinnati Reds — 1969 Johnny Bench All-Star Rookie Card
- Cleveland Indians — 1914 Cracker Jack Shoeless Joe Jackson
- Colorado Rockies — 1996 Upper Deck Dante Bichette
- Detroit Tigers — 1960 Topps Don Mossi
- Houston Astros — 1988 Fleer Craig Biggio Rookie Card
- Kansas City Royals — 1990 Score Bo Jackson
- Los Angeles Angels — 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Rookie Card
- Los Angeles Dodgers — 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson
- Miami Marlins — 2021 Topps Jazz Chisholm Rookie Card
- Milwaukee Brewers — 1975 Topps Robin Yount Rookie Card
- Minnesota Twins — 1986 Fleer Mickey Hatcher
- New York Mets — 2014 Topps Update Jacob deGrom Rookie Card
- New York Yankees — 1984 Donruss Don Mattingly Rookie Card
- Philadelphia Phillies — 2020 Topps Series 2 Andrew McCutchen SP photo variation
- Pittsburgh Pirates — 1909 T206 Honus Wagner
- Oakland Athletics — 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson Rookie Card
- San Diego Padres — 2019 Topps Fernando Tatis Jr. Rookie Card
- San Francisco Giants — 1951 Bowman Willie Mays Rookie Card
- Seattle Mariners — 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card
- St. Louis Cardinals — 1948 Bowman Stan Musial Rookie Card
- Tampa Bay Rays — 2019 Bowman Chrome Wander Franco 1st Bowman
- Texas Rangers — 1992 Fleer Nolan Ryan
- Toronto Blue Jays — 2016 Bowman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1st Bowman
- Washington Nationals — 2018 Topps Update Juan Soto Rookie Card
- Wild Card — 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
- Wild Card — 1953 Topps Satchel Paige
We want some lucky Loupe users to take home some of these cards. That’s why we’re giving away two prize packages that consist of: A PSA 10 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout rookie card, a handful of other cards on this list, and some sealed product. Each prize package’s approximate value will be $5,000. All you have to do is log into the Loupe app between now and September 30 to be automatically registered to win.
Additionally, we’re giving away another PSA 10 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout rookie card to someone who votes in the finals. Make sure to go to the Top of the Pack page between September 29 and September 30, cast your vote in the finals, and you’ll be entered to win this dream card. We’ll announce all the winners shortly after the promotion wraps up. Head here for the Official Rules.
Who are you backing? Vote on the MLB’s Top of the Pack page, comment down below, and let the world know which card you think is the best. If you’re lucky enough, you might just walk away with a gem mint Mike Trout rookie card as the new crown jewel of your collection.
1952 Mickey Mantel
This is a great contest and interesting to see if people vote based on player, design or possible rarity. Glad to be part. Although I never saw him play live mantle def a lead in my list of fav’s.
It’s gotta be the 1909 Wagner
1952 Mickey Mantel
1952 Mickey Mantle
Kansas City Royals — 1990 Score Bo Jackson
That card is one of the most underrated and undervalued cards in history. Bo Jackson didn’t change the look of baseball or football, he changed the look of SPORT and what it means to be an athlete at the highest level. When you think of sports as a whole, Bo Jackson is what you think of and the picture on the Score card is his most iconic photograph.
Awesome contest for sure thanks Loupe and also MLB for conducting this awesome event to determine the best card of history. I assume because I have the app and make buys on Loupe that means I’m a certified Loupe account
The 52 Mantle is such an iconic card for any collector
Mickey Mantle %100
52 Mickey Mantle
It has to be the 1909 T206 Honus Wagner.
1909 Honus Wagner
This looks like a most enjoyable endeavor and worth a close look at these cards! Time to review and Vote . . .
Ted Williams. There goes Ted Williams,
the greatest hitter who ever lived.
And remember, he missed 5 years during his prime due to WW2 and Korea. Imagine what his career stats would be…
1989 Griffey
1952 Mickey Mantle
Cleveland Indians — 1914 Cracker Jack Shoeless Joe Jackson to me is my favorite. Maybe it’s because when I was younger and watched Field of Dreams I had never heard of Shoeless Joe, and after that movie it made me dive into baseball history.
Juan Soto’s
1909 Honus Wagner
It’s crazy that Honus Wagner’s card sold for so much and how old this card is today. It’s so ironic that his card was on the box of tobacco when Wagner hated smoking and cigarettes all together! The history behind this card is what makes it so iconic to me!
Nice list and fun topic. I wish 1971 Topps Thurman Munson made the list.
Got to be 1952 Mantle. Between the iconic image and the story behind the release…no contest
I would have to agree with you on the Thurman Munson 71′. I have 2 of those cards; one is graded an 8 and the other is just a loose card. He is one of my favorites. I live in Akron and remember when he died in Canton. What a tragedy.
My heart is pulling me towards the 1975 Yount or the 1980 Henderson. But the most iconic card on this list has to be the Mantle by name alone!!
1939 Play Ball Ted Williams rookie card
52 Mantle
Satchel Paige card is sweet
I would agree with you on this one. Great card and would love to have it.
1989 upper deck ken Griffey jr first hall of gamer I got of a pack
Mickey mantle
T206!!
When all you need is a number and people know what card you’re talking about obviously that’s hands-down the winner!!
1952 Mickey Mantle
1952 Mickey Mantle
Ken Griffey
Honus Wagner by far. Fine art in a box of smokes. Incredible!
I grew up collecting cards and I’m 47 I had ten of the cards on this list at one time now I have none lol. This is a great way to give back to the people that love this hobby. Thanks
1952 Mickey Mantle
1952 mantle
Gonna have to go with the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
1952 Mickey Mantle is definitely one of the most iconic cards in sports cards history!
1989 Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck Rookie for sure!!
89 Upper Deck Griffey
Mickey Mantle is so cool
The Mantle
‘52 Mantle. All good contenders but there’s something about that card that pops. Great color, great design – epic player!
52 Mantle
52 Mantle
Obviously 1952 Mickey Mantle
48 Bowman Stan Musial
1909 T206 Ty Cobb
52 or 56 mantle
Mickey Mantle
Honus Wagner
1952 mantle
Boston Red Sox — 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams Rookie Card
1951 Mays card. Iconic player and card.
‘89 Griffey. Ken Griffey Jr. is baseball!
This is such a tough decision… I’m torn between the ’52 Mantle and ’09 Wagner. Maybe there’s a slight edge to the Wagner just because of it’s history. This is a great contest by Loupe and MLB. Thanks to all for giving us this opportunity for some hobby fun and, possibly, the pick up of a lifetime! Cheers!
52 Mantle and Honus. Both are front runners. This is very cool contest
52 Mick all day. Reason Costas keeps it in his wallet.
1952 mantle
1952 mantle
’52 Mantle Card. Epic card for an Epic team, Go Yanks !
1952 Mantle
‘55 Topps Jackie Robinson
1955 Topps Jackie Robinson
52 Mickey Mantle 52! I was lucky to see him play in the 50’s
1954 Ernie Banks is under-rated
I would agree with you on this one.
Los Angeles Dodgers — 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson
52 Mantle
1952 Mickey Mantle
The 52 Mantle rookie!
1952 Topps Mantle
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
I guess is 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. People dream to have that card in their collection. Very good baseball player!!
1952 Mantle
How come the ’68 Nolan Ryan isn’t on this list ? The category should have been multiple player card with Pete Rose rookie and 1982 Topps Rookie Cal Ropken ?
1952 mantle
Cleveland Indians — 1914 Cracker Jack Shoeless Joe Jackson
Sometimes I think that Mickey Mantel is always a front runner because people know the name. Same with the Honus Wagner card. No one really ever heard of Honus Wagner until his card showed up and was auctioned off for millions.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle!
Has to be the 1952 Mantle
1952 Mickey Mantle! The card is a classic for generations of different people.
1989 Upper Deck Griffey Jr for sure!
1952 mantle rookie
The Billy Ripken FuckFace card is most definitely the most iconic. Most valuable would be a whole different conversation.
1952 Mickey Mantel
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr
I think bob Hamelin is the easy #1
52 mantle is the most iconic one 4sure
1952 mickey mantle
1952 Mantle
THE 52 MANTLE
Has to be the Honus Wagner. A limited addition item before there was such category. Truly a card idea ahead of it’s time.
1952 Mickey Mantle
1952 Mickey Mantle!!!
I think the 1952 mickey mantle stands out
T-206 Honus Wagner. It’s the holy grail of card collecting.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
57 Aaron
Fernando Tatis jr 2019 topps
1952 Mantle
Most iconic card would have to be the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. Many people dream of owning this card because of how great he truly was. In my opinion, its one of a few cards that make the 1952 Topps set what it is today.
T-206 Honus Wagner
57 Hank Aaron
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, although the 1948 Bowman Stan Musial is a great runner-up!
T-206 Wagner
I gotta go with the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr
1952 Mantle.
Thank you.
1909 Honus Wagner
I think is should be “The Kid” Ken Griffey Jr. RC!!
It’s The Kid !!!!!
1989 Griffey !!!!
Hank aaron All the way
1952 Mickey Mantle! Such a crisp classic! That card is a pure gem!
89 Upper Deck Griffey Jr was ‘iconic’ the moment it came out. It was already sought after when it arrived, and has managed to be the one true legit historical relic of an era of cards that most collectors threw away years later. The Mantle needed a push in the 80s to resurface as an iconic card, the Wagner needed a story, and so on. The 89 UD card already had a push before it was even cooling off the presses.
55 Jackie Robinson
1952 Mantle
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout
The 1909 Honus Wagner will always be iconic!
Honus Wagner T-206. Try to get one of those in Gem Mint.
Mike Trout 2011 Topps Update
T206 Wagner
1909 Honus Wagner
1989 Griffey
Wagner
T206 Honus Wagner
honus wagner
Honus Wagner T-206! ??
52 Mantle
53 Paige,a card not list that really needs mention ,any rookie Jackie Robinson
1969 Nolan Ryan Topps