Page "Topps" Paragraph 45

One of the features that contributed significantly to Topps ' success beginning with the 1952 set was providing player statistics.

At the time, complete and reliable baseball statistics for all players were not widely available, so Topps actually compiled the information itself from published box scores.

While baseball cards themselves had been around for years, including statistics was a relative novelty that fascinated many collectors.

Those who played with baseball cards could study the numbers and use them as the basis for comparing players, trading cards with friends, or playing imaginary baseball games.

It also had some pedagogical benefit by encouraging youngsters to take an interest in the underlying mathematics.