Ranked: 1960s Topps Sets

This is part two of my series ranking all of the Topps sets of all time. You can read part one here.

The Topps sets of the 50s had some high highs and low lows. The 60s sets are grouped much closer together. There aren’t any amazing sets, and there aren’t really any terrible ones. Just lots of okay-ish sets. There is one set in particular that is considered to be iconic, but I’ve never quite agreed.

With all that being said, this was a very difficult list to put together. There just isn’t a whole lot of separation. Anyway, on with the list!

#10 – 1967 Topps

I’ve never quite understood why the White Sox lettering is purple. And I’ve never been a fan of the facsimile autograph. Still, this isn’t a terrible looking set. It’s thoroughly mediocre. It does have a decent checklist, though there are no notable rookie cards. There is a Tommie Agee Topps Rookie Cup card, which is cool I guess.


#9 – 1963 Topps

The only thing this set has going for it is how colorful it is. It really isn’t a very appealing design. It would honestly probably be better without the little round image in the corner. Replace that with a cool Sox logo and it might be better. Still wouldn’t be good, mind you. Decent checklist, and Dave DeBusschere and Al Weis rookie cards. The Weis card is especially notable, as he shares it with Pete Rose.


#8 – 1968 Topps

Another 60s Topps set, another mediocre design. Is this supposed to be some kind of fabric? One thing I’m definitely missing from the 50s sets is the Sox logo. Another solid checklist, but I think every 60s set had a decent checklist. No notable rookie cards, though the Cisco Carlos rookie may have seemed like a big deal heading into the 1968 season.


#7 – 1969 Topps

I’m having such a hard time writing this list… there is nothing interesting to say about these boring designs! At least this set has a clean look, which is the only reason it ranks this high. Another decent checklist, including Carlos May, Bill Melton, and Ed Herrmann rookie cards. I do wish Carlos May was alone on his rookie card.


#6 – 1966 Topps

The other thing that is getting tiresome about this sets is the photography. It’s all headshots and spring training poses. Were they not capable of action photography or something? I should have used the Jack Lamabe card for this image. Who could forgot that man’s eyebrows? Anyway, another solid checklist with no prominent rookie cards.


#5 – 1965 Topps

The best part of this set is undoubtedly the little pennant with the Winged Sox logo. The rest of the design is bland, but the pennant saves it. Another decent checklist, featuring Bob Locker and Ken Berry rookie cards.


#4 – 1964 Topps

I’ve always been drawn towards this set, and I have no earthly idea why. Maybe the teal soothes me? For whatever reason, I really like the White Sox text across the top. Nice checklist, with Don Buford as the most notable rookie card. There are three really nice looking Topps Rookie Cup cards here: Al Weis, Pete Ward, and Gary Peters.


#3 – 1962 Topps

Definitely the most iconic set of the 1960s. Most people would probably have this first. I do like it, though for whatever reason I’ve never loved it. I almost put this in second place, but for whatever reason I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Another nice checklist, with Joel Horlen and Floyd Robinson rookie cards.


#2 – 1961 Topps

Like the 1964 set, I can’t really explain why I like this set. For whatever reason, this is the set I most associate with the 1959 era Sox team that I love so much. I do like the multiple colors at the bottom, though I do wish there was a Sox logo present. This set has a wonderful checklist, though there are no notable rookie cards.


#1 – 1960 Topps

The 1960 and 1961 sets are neck and neck for me, mostly because of the checklists. I do like the 1960 horizontal design. I like how colorful it is, and I obviously like the Winged Sox logo. There is a great checklist here, with J.C. Martin and Gary Peters rookie UER cards.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *