Imagine the rumble of a subway car—the thrum of wheels on steel, the sway as the train gracefully curves its way through the city. It’s a setting where commuters retreat into their thoughts, perhaps with headphones on, mentally crafting to-do lists or dreaming about the weekend. For Phil Imbriano, senior designer at Topps, a simple emblem on that subway car set into motion a remarkable creative journey. While most of his fellow passengers were likely engrossed in their electronic fairylands, Imbriano saw potential in the unlikeliest of places. A red-and-silver badge caught his eye with its elegant curves and sleek lines, sparking an idea that would eventually shape the 2025 edition of Topps Series 1 baseball cards.

To an outsider, it might sound poetic, maybe even implausible. How could a routine ride transform into the creative cornerstone of such a prestigious project? But that’s what true creativity often involves—capturing the extraordinary from the ordinary. With just a quick photo and a bustling subway stop, Imbriano had begun a journey of imagination and design synthesis. Such spontaneity is the hallmark of creativity, a timely reminder that inspiration doesn’t send a calendar invite or knock politely. It arrives, unannounced, making its home in odd corners of your day.

But the subway badge was merely the muse, not the whole narrative. Back at his desk, with city life humming along outside his window, Imbriano started sketching—a process familiarly known to artists, which requires patience, a careful eye, and much trial and error. His sketches eventually evolved into the distinctive look of the new 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards, marked by bold, sweeping lines that run up along the left and traverse the top of the card.

If seasoned collectors detect a sense of déjà vu, they’re onto something exquisite. These lines carry echoes of a classic past, reminiscent of the 1982 Topps set. Yet, there’s a twist this time—each line matching the team’s colors, a creative stroke that binds team spirit with collector enthusiasm. Intriguingly, the resemblance was a sunset surprise that greeted Imbriano mid-design. Initially, it wasn’t nostalgia but the familiar texture and warmth of the woodgrain aesthetics from the 1962 and 1987 sets that fueled his early drafts. This serendipitous blending of eras now bridges time—a spontaneous homage that marries tradition with the innovation of today, offering a bridge between ephemera and lasting art.

But this isn’t where the design triumphs quietly completed its journey. From recording inspiration, sketching, and rounds of contemplative refinement, Imbriano’s work had to withstand the crucible of Topps’ in-house competition. It’s a dramatic process—think “Project Runway” but for baseball cards. Designs are proposed, scrutinized, and reevaluated through spirited debates and multiple submissions. From the hubbub initially arose 20 top contenders, each varied and vibrantly envisioned. It was Imbriano’s sleek vision, honed like a caretaker’s dream, that was crowned victorious. His flourish, that two-line signature, whispers of ballparks and bleachers while leaning into the future’s touch.

Now, when digital meets the tactile, a delightful transformation occurs. To see is to believe—but to hold, to feel, that transforms the belief to experience. As Topps’ production enters the tangible realm, they materialize Imbriano’s digital brainchild into palpable copies. It’s not just about the look—though striking—but the dance of textures, colors, and borders as collectors open that pack for a peek inside the treasure chest. “How will it feel?” Topps asks. That’s part and parcel of why they stage ‘pack-opening’ simulations. It’s a test of the senses, an experiment in aesthetics and excitement.

Within those packs, along with the brilliant base set, lie treasures for modern collectors—subsets that captivate with dynamic stories and vibrant personalities. This year’s lineup comes alive with entities like “Future Stars” and “Call to the Hall,” each capturing the rich tapestry of baseball narratives, talent, and history. Fans will revel in the layers; be it enjoying the “Signature Tunes” tying players to the music that moves them or the celebrity-laden “First Pitch” series that’s the stuff of every fan’s dream day.

And for those with a fondness for nostalgia, the 35th-anniversary tribute delightfully revives the playful bolt energy of the 1990 set in its splendor of colors. Our beloved Phil, a modern remixer of classic vibes, likens each card to a movie poster—small canvases holding detailed worlds unto themselves.

The 2025 Topps Series 1 cards beg to be touched, admired, and discussed—a testament to where inspiration can lead, from a simple subway ride to the hands of eager fans worldwide. What started with the charm of a quiet glance at an inanimate subway badge has now sparked a collectible journey, scored to the rhymes of memory and fresh creativity—a fine pitch of the unexpected indeed, sure to captivate the eyes and hearts of collectors for the ages.

Attic Find Vintage Baseball Cards