Sport Card of the Week

This feature is called Sport Card of the Week. Every week will feature a random sport card based on the player, the set, and how it defined the sports card market and/or the impact made on his/her sports.

The first card is easily a no-brainer.
1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle

This became the signature card for Topps in the baseball card market. That year Topps put out their inagural set and, unlike Bowman, used color photography. This card quickly became popular to baseball fans and collectors alike. How much impact did it for Topps? From 1997 to 1999 and 2001-2005 Topps did not issue card no. 7 in honor of Mantle. In 2006 they issued card no. 7 with Mantle on it where it continues on.

If you want point the beginning rise of Topps look no further than this card.