‘Big Papi,’ Trout, Harper, Posey Seek Fan Vote For Top Spot In Topps ’17 MLB Set
By Barry Janoff
October 13, 2016: Last year, the Topps Co. for the first time in its history, asked people to vote for the player who would appear on card No. 1 in its 2016 Topps Baseball Series One.
The company was so happy with the results — which it said “thousands of online votes poured in,” ultimately voting Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels onto the prestigious No. 1 card — that Topps is opening up the polls again for its MLB 2017 Topps Baseball Series One.
Topps has released a list of 16 players on its ballot, including Trout and David “Big Papi” Ortiz, who announced his retirement from baseball. The list also features four players who, along with Trout, made the Final Five in voting last year: Buster Posey, Kris Bryant, Josh Donaldson and Bryce Harper. (Full list below.)
People can vote, now through Oct. 19. Voting is being conducted through the Topps Blog (also found under the Rediscover tab on Topps.com) and via Topps’ Twitter page (@ToppsCards).
People will be able to either retweet or like a tweet assigned to each of the 16 nominees, which will count as a vote.
"The first card is something of great importance to Topps Baseball each and every year," David Leiner, vp and GM-North American Sports and Entertainment for Topps, said in a statement. "We feel it is a great opportunity to include collectors and fans in creating the product by deciding who is most worthy of the No. 1 card spot."
"We feel it is a great opportunity to include collectors and fans in creating the product by deciding who is most worthy of the No. 1 card spot."
Among the players who have been on card No. 1 for Topps are Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron. Nolan Ryan and Derek Jeter.
Topps is encouraging people "to vote and promote the contest on social media to help get their favorite player featured on card. No. 1, using the hashtag #ToppsVoteNo1."
List of 2017 Topps Baseball Card No. 1 nominees:
• Adrian Beltre
• Mookie Betts
• Kris Bryant
• Miguel Cabrera
• Carlos Correa
• Josh Donaldson
• Bryce Harper
• Clayton Kershaw
• Francisco Lindor
• Manny Machado
• Yadier Molina
• David Ortiz
• Buster Posey
• Gary Sanchez
• Corey Seager
• Mike Trout