The 2000 Bowman baseball card set was one of the most hyped releases of the year with prospects like Neifi Perez, Albert Pujols, and Bobby Hill making their rookie card debuts. While Perez and Hill never panned out, Pujols went on to become one of the game’s all-time greats and his rookie card from that 2000 Bowman set is one of the most coveted and valuable modern baseball cards. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top 2000 Bowman rookie cards and other notable cards that have stood the test of time and increased greatly in value over the past two decades.
Heading the list is without question the Albert Pujols rookie card. Pujols burst onto the scene in 2001 winning Rookie of the Year and would go on to become arguably the best right handed hitter of all time. His talents were evident even as a rookie in the 2000 season displayed on his Bowman rookie card. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint condition, the Pujols rookie has sold for over $25,000 placing it among the most expensive modern baseball cards ever. Even well-centered PSA 9 Near Mint copies trade for $3,000-5,000 showing the card’s tremendous long term appreciation. With Pujols a lock for the Hall of Fame, his rookie isn’t going anywhere but up in value especially once he finally retires.
Another 2000 Bowman rookie that has really paid dividends is that of Adrian Gonzalez. Gonzalez enjoyed a fine 17 year big league career hitting over .282 with over 300 home runs and 1000 RBI. As the #1 overall draft pick in 2000, Gonzalez received good promotion in Bowman sets that year. High grade PSA 10 versions of his rookie now sell for $800-1000 with PSA 9 copies bringing $300-500. It’s a fairly affordable modern star rookie card that performed very well for patient investors over the past 20 years.
Staying in the $300-500 PSA 9 range is Dodgers shortstop/third baseman Justin Turner. Turner went undrafted out of high school but had a solid 13 year career as a versatile bench player and part time starter before becoming an All Star for the Dodgers late in his career. As an older rookie at age 24 in 2000, Turner didn’t receive top billing. But his rookie card has increased steadily thanks to his late career success in Los Angeles. It remains a strong long term buy for Turner collectors.
One of the top pitching prospects in 2000 Bowman was Toronto Blue Jays hurler Miguel Batista. Batista didn’t become a star but had a serviceable 16 year MLB career primarily as a middle reliever and spot starter. His rookie card has also risen steadily to the $150-250 range for high grades thanks to his longevity. Batista was very fresh on collectors minds in 2000 which helped give his rookie strong initial demand.
A dark horse pick that has really taken off in recent years is Boston Red Sox reliever/starter Derek Lowe. Lowe had a solid 21 year MLB tenure but was never a big name. As a 24 year old rookie in 2000 Bowman, Lowe’s cardboard wasn’t heavily collected. But as the Red Sox dynasty years emerged, fans rediscovered Lowe and his important role on those championship clubs. Today a PSA 10 Gem Mint Lowe rookie sells for $600-800 with PSA 9s bringing $250-350 showing great long term upside potential.
Perhaps the most historically important card from 2000 Bowman other than Pujols’ is the base card of a fresh-faced 20 year old pitcher named Rich Hill. While Hill experienced numerous injury issues that prevented him from maximizing his talents, he did enjoy a solid 13 year MLB career. More notably, his distinctive high leg kick windup pose on his 2000 Bowman base card went on to achieve iconic status as a favorite among collectors worldwide. PSA 10 Gems now sell for $350-450, a significant climb for a base card of a player who was never an All Star. Hill represents the power of a truly unique and recognizable baseball image to create long term card value.
While the immense hype focused more on short term prospects like Perez and Hill, the 2000 Bowman baseball set proved to yield some true superstar and solid contributor rookie cards that investment-minded collectors were wise to hang onto. Pujols, Gonzalez and Lowe in particular really paid off for patient holders. Even solid veterans like Batista and surprise stars like Turner provided quality long term returns. Two decades later, 2000 Bowman remains one of the most valuable modern sets, anchored by one of the most significant rookie cards ever in Albert Pujols. For discerning collectors, it paid to invest in this historic release.
