Hobby Talk: Pedro Martinez, George Springer Cards Every Collector Should Own

We talk a lot at ShowZone about the cards featured in MLB The Show. Obviously, collecting the cards in-game means adding that respective version of the big leaguer to your Diamond Dynasty squad. Many of us also collect baseball cards in the physical world, and today we're taking a look at some of the most must-have cards of the prominent players in today's content drop.

Ranked Rewards

Pedro Martinez

Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez is one of the newest World Series rewards in MLB The Show 25. Notably, Pedro's featured card in today's content is a New York Mets card which is a boon for Mets fans in Diamond Dynasty. Known as a Boston Red Sox icon, Pedro has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, and Philadelphia Phillies in addition to his Boston and New York tenures.

Here are some of the must-have Pedro cards for any collector:

1. 1991 Upper Deck Final Edition #2F – Rookie card (Montreal Expos)
2. 1993 Topps #557 – Early Expos-era card
3. 1998 Bowman’s Best #10 – First year with Boston
4. 1999 Topps Chrome #191 – From his AL Cy Young season
5. 2000 Fleer Showcase #44 – Peak Boston era
6. 2004 Topps #100 – Final Boston season
7. 2005 Topps Update #UH220 – First Mets card
8. 2006 Topps Turkey Red #580 – Artistic Mets-era design
9. 2007 Bowman #118 – Mets final stretch
10. 2023 Stadium Club Chrome Legends #TSC-69 – Modern career tribute

George Springer

George Springer rose to stardom as a member of the Houston Astros dynasty in the 2010's. Debuting with the Blue Jays in 2021 after signing as a free agent, Springer has been a steady veteran for the Toronto Blue Jays. Fun fact: Springer has stolen more bases in the last four seasons with Toronto than he did during his entire tenure with Houston.

Here are Springer's must-have cards for any collector:

1. 2014 Topps Update #US-10 – Rookie card (Astros)
2. 2015 Topps Chrome #92 – Early Astros years
3. 2017 Topps Heritage #288 – World Series MVP season
4. 2018 Topps Now #308 – Highlight performance
5. 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter #135 – Late Astros run
6. 2021 Topps Series 1 #45 – First card with Toronto
7. 2021 Topps Heritage #312 – Jays retro design
8. 2022 Topps Chrome Blue Jays Team Insert
9. 2023 Topps Series 2 #445 – Action Blue Jays card
10. 2024 Topps Update All-Star Insert – Jays ASG card

Multiplayer Program

Josh Hader

Originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, Hader was traded to the Houston Astros in 2013. Hader wouldn't pitch for the Astros in that go-round, as he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers where he immediately blossomed into one of the most impactful relievers in baseball. After a relatively brief stop in San Diego, Hader eventually signed with the Houston Astros as a free agent going into the 2024 season.

Must-have Josh Hader cards:

1. 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP69 – Rookie card (Astros pre-trade)
2. 2018 Topps Chrome Update #HMT54 – Breakout season (Brewers)
3. 2019 Topps #30 – All-Star year
4. 2020 Allen & Ginter #115 – Unique design
5. 2021 Topps Series 1 #596 – Fan-favorite
6. 2022 Heritage #528 – Padres debut
7. 2023 Topps Series 1 #392 – Full Padres season
8. 2023 Topps Chrome Refractor #392
9. 2024 Topps NOW Save Leader Insert
10. 2025 Topps Living Set #805

Rafael Palmeiro

One of the most controversial players of his generation, Palmeiro's 20-year MLB career is the stuff Hall of Famers are made of but the controversy ultimately eroded his immortality. In March 2005, Palmeiro testified before United States Congress and vehemently denied ever using performance enhancing drugs. Five months later, Palmeiro tested positive for performance enhancing drugs.

Palmeiro was the first "star" player to fail a drug test after MLB "tightened" their drug usage rules, though Palmeiro would only miss 10 games.

Ultimately, Rafael Palmeiro had a Hall of Fame career and given MLB's rampant steroid abuse; singling him out as unworthy of the Hall is another of baseball's great contradictions.

Must-have Raffy cards:

1. 1987 Donruss Rated Rookie #43 – Rookie card (Cubs)
2. 1988 Topps #179 – Sophomore year (Cubs)
3. 1991 Score #560 – Early Texas card
4. 1993 Upper Deck #145 – Orioles transition
5. 1995 Pinnacle #100 – Mid-career slugging
6. 1996 Leaf Preferred #150
7. 1999 Topps Chrome #330 – Rangers All-Star
8. 2001 Donruss Elite #30 – Veteran Orioles card
9. 2003 Topps Heritage #185 – Vintage flair
10. 2005 Topps Total #400 – Final season (Orioles)

Headliner

Harold Baines

A controversial Hall of Famer on his own merit, Harold Baines played 22 seasons in the Majors where he routinely operated as a solidly above-average hitter. While his career WAR (wins-above-replacement) of 38.7 fails the optics test compared to other big leaguers, Baines is a Hall of Famer nonetheless and spent most of his time with the Chicago White Sox, followed by seven years in Baltimore with shorter stints in Oakland, Texas, and Cleveland.

Must-have Baines cards:

1. 1981 Topps #347 – Rookie card
2. 1983 Donruss #143 – Early career
3. 1985 Topps #275 – All-Star White Sox era
4. 1987 Fleer #429 – Prime White Sox
5. 1989 Upper Deck #560
6. 1991 Studio #82 – Portrait-focused design
7. 1993 Stadium Club #100 – Oakland A’s era
8. 1996 Leaf #309 – White Sox return
9. 1999 Topps #200 – Orioles stretch
10. 2021 Archives #152 – Legacy reprint