Inspiration, like a stealthy subway train, often arrives unannounced, whisking its passengers into uncharted creative territories. For Topps senior designer Phil Imbriano, the birthplace of his artistic muse for the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards was not in the sepulchral silence of an art studio nor in the intoxicating chaos of a baseball stadium, but on the bustling platforms of New York City’s subway. It was just another day on a long succession of identical commutes a year ago when, amidst the predictable clang and clatter of train wheels against tracks, his eyes caught something unexpected—a red-and-silver badge on the train. It stood out with its sleek curves, and in that moment of serendipity, Imbriano’s imagination took a hop, skip, and jump into the world of baseball card design.
It wasn’t long before he quick-drew his phone, captured the badge’s image, and began sketching ideas before even reaching his desk at Topps. Fast forward to the present, and that spark of creativity, which began with a quick photo and a few scribbles, has immaculately transformed into the prominent design feature of Topps’ 2025 baseball cards, which have officially made their debut today.
“I love drawing inspiration from everyday things,” Imbriano stated with the nonchalance of a man who makes extraordinary creativity look effortless. “It could be a building, a sign—just something that catches my eye. I take pictures and refer back to them later. You never know when something simple will turn into something big.” Indeed, Imbriano has woven this chance encounter with insignificantly significant train decor into a tapestry of visual art, transforming the mundane into the magnificent.
This year’s Topps cards are adorned across their left side and top by two bold lines, forming a radiant blaze that nods to the distinct 1982 Topps set. Yet, in a twist as surprising as hitting a knuckleball, the lines are color-coordinated to mirror each team’s palette, breathing fresh life into a nostalgic motif. “The ’82 connection was a happy accident,” Imbriano confessed with the humility of an artist delighted by unintended strokes of genius. “But I think it works because it blends vintage style with a modern twist.”
In an internal competitive process that bears the intensity of a high-stakes playoff series, Imbriano’s design emerged victorious among 20 other concepts, all vying for run production in the circulation arena. The selection gauntlet is as rigorous as it is intricate, with elements from previously benched designs often finding their way into the final ensemble—this year’s iteration features a delightful tiny field graphic in the bottom right, indicating the player’s position like a base coach pointing the way home.
This creative journey stretched over several months, evolving through no fewer than ten iterations before settling on the winning design. “There’s so much that goes into this process,” Imbriano remarked, reflecting on a path marked by diligent dedication and creative endurance. “I don’t think most people realize how much work happens before they ever hold the card in their hands.”
But embracing digital art is only the beginning of the envisioned process. Topps sets its sights on a tactile reality, printing physical prototypes to test their appearance and texture in human hands, as noted by Clay Luraschi, Topps’ senior vice president of product. “When we’re down to the final five designs, we actually print them out and simulate opening a pack,” Luraschi explained, emphasizing the blend of tradition with innovation—which could be likened to the harmonious marriage of peanuts and Cracker Jacks.
The 2025 series isn’t just a home run with its base cards; it also includes popular subsets such as Future Stars, All-Topps Team, Training Grounds commemorating spring training exploits, and Call to the Hall featuring Hall of Fame inductees. Fans have even more variety to anticipate with brand-new entries like the City Connect Swatch Collection Autographs, Heavy Lumber Autographs, and returning favorites like Signature Tunes, which pairs players with the artists behind their empowering walk-up songs. The First Pitch caters to celebrities who added a touch of star power to games with ceremonial first throws. And especially for Dodgers fans, unique base-card variations are on deck, featuring jubilant renditions such as the unforgettable Freddie Dance by the one and only Freddie Freeman.
Light is also shone on this year’s 35th-anniversary homage to the bold vibrancy of the 1990 Topps set, reflecting a continuum of baseball heritage articulated through color. Yet central to the 2025 narrative is Imbriano’s masterstroke base design, a harmonious blend of past and present that seeks to capture the coveted nostalgia every collector cherishes. “I approach designing cards like I would a movie poster,” he stated, underscoring the idea that each card should radiate individuality and nostalgia, serving as an embraced mini-poster in the collector’s hand.
It is a sentiment shared across the Topps design bench, where the creative team recognizes their work resonates beyond ephemeral trends and into the pages of hobby history. “I think Phil’s design is incredible,” Luraschi added with glee. “Fifty years from now, people should be able to look at a card and instantly recognize the year it’s from. This one absolutely nails that idea.” Thus, while the subway may have catalyzed a mere ride for some, for Imbriano, it was an unexpected ticket to iconic card design immortality.
