The 2007 Topps Opening Day baseball card set was released on March 2nd, 2007 near the start of the Major League Baseball season. As with most annual Opening Day issues from Topps, the 2007 version contained base cards featuring current players from around the league as well as various insert cards highlighting key statistics, accomplishments, and more. Given it has now been over 15 years since the set was originally printed and distributed, let’s take a closer look at the different 2007 Topps Opening Day cards that have maintained or increased in value since their initial release.
One of the cards that has consistently held strong value from the 2007 Topps Opening Day set is the short print Alex Rodriguez card (card number OD-AR). Only 50 copies of this particular A-Rod card were inserted randomly in packs that year. Given its extreme scarcity, the OD-AR card has been highly sought after by collectors looking to add a true “hit” to their collections. In near mint condition, ungraded examples have sold recently on eBay for $500-700, with higher prices achieved for professionally graded mint condition copies.
Other star player cards that command respectable secondary market value include superstars like Ichiro Suzuki, Albert Pujols, and David Ortiz. Their base cards in top condition can usually be acquired for $10-30. Rarer parallels and autographed/memorabilia cards featuring these players obviously sell for much more. An Ichiro red parallel, for instance, fetched $250 back in 2020.
Perhaps the strongest sustained interest and highest prices overall within the 2007 Topps Opening Day set have been for rookie cards, as is typically the case for most vintage issues. Future Hall of Fame pitcher Clayton Kershaw made his MLB debut that year and his rookie card (card number OD-CK) is among the most sought after in the entire set. Near mint, ungraded Kershaw rookies can sell in the $75-100 range today. Professionally graded mint condition copies have changed hands for $300-400 at auction.
Another transcendent rookie from 2007 was outfielder Ryan Braun. While injuries hampered his career trajectory in later seasons, Braun enjoyed huge early success and was named NL Rookie of the Year in his debut campaign. His OD-RB rookie remains a key component for Brewers and ’00s collectors alike. Near mint Braun rookies sell in the $40-60 range depending on condition, with highest grades potentially reaching $150-200.
Two other notable rookies finding favor among collectors and investors include Phillies ace Cole Hamels (OD-CH) and Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (OD-AP), both of whom made contributions on championship caliber clubs later in their careers. Mint Hamels rookies can be acquired for $30-60 today. As for Pujols, the fact he won 3 NL MVPs in his first 10 seasons alone has kept interest high in his debut issue. Near mint copies move for $15-35 on the secondary market.
Beyond star players and top rookies, there is also demand for select serially numbered parallels and short prints from the 2007 Topps Opening Day set. The red parallel versions of popular stars can often command premiums over the standard base cards. Also, limited quantity insert cards like “Top Prospects” featuring future impact talents have maintained collector interest. For example, a Top Prospects card showing Josh Hamilton as the #1 overall prospect inserted (OP-JH) sold recently for around $60.
While the 2007 Topps Opening Day set as a whole doesn’t carry great long term value, certain individual cards containing rookie issues of future Hall of Famers or short printed serially numbered parallels still engage collectors nearly 15 years later. Keys like the ultra-rare A-Rod short print or rookie cards of Kershaw and Braun headline the strongest performers financially. For building a complete set at a reasonable cost, plenty of standard base cards and inserts can still be acquired quite affordably as well. As with most vintage wax, it remains the select few standout rookie and parallel issues that drive the real secondary market action and investment potential within the 2007 release.
