1958 Topps Hank Aaron

I keep reading that the 1958 Topps design was considered a failure. Keyword: was.

In recent years, the 1958 set has made a bit of a comeback. It's finally getting respect for its bright, bold colors and player portraits.

1958 was also a year of firsts: First Topps Stan Musial card. First team checklists. First time cards represented teams on the West Coast.

I wonder what it was like for a kid in San Francisco to pull a Willie Mays or another in L.A. to find a Sandy Koufax, Pee Wee Reese or Duke Snider in his wax pack.

There were plenty of other stars in the '58 set including Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Roberto Clemente and Ernie Banks. And there was also a rookie card of Roger Maris.

Another card most kids would have been happy to have was this Hank Aaron. The defending National League MVP was coming off a year in which he led his team to a World Series title.

I still think Aaron is underrated when it comes to baseball cards.

If he only played in New York. Would he be considered better than Mantle?