The 2007 Topps baseball card set was released in March of that year and featured artwork on the front of each card showing players in action shots from the 2006 season. While not one of the highest valued years throughout the company’s long history of producing baseball cards, the 2007 Topps set provides an interesting snapshot of players and teams from that period and cards hold monetary value for collectors over 15 years later.
As with any release, the rookies and stars of the day typically command the most value in the short and long-term. Leading the way for the 2007 Topps set are cards featuring superstars like Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro Suzuki and David Ortiz who were established names generating excitement at the register. Of those, Pujols’ base card in pristine mint condition can fetch around $15-20 while A-Rod tops out closer to $30. Both were still in their primes producing big numbers so they maintained strong collector interest.
Two rookies who had breakout rookie campaigns in 2006 and thus had buzz around their 2007 Topps cards were Ryan Braun of the Brewers and Jonathan Papelbon of the Red Sox. Braun smashed 34 home runs and drove in 97 in his age 22 season, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. His raw talent and potential positioned his 2007 Topps base card as one of the set’s most sought after rookie cards. Graded mint condition examples can sell for $40-60 depending on time of year and demand. Papelbon exploded onto the scene as Boston’s dominant closer, saving 35 games while posting a minuscule 1.85 ERA. As a rare rookie pitcher card in a key role, his 2007 Topps base trails Braun’s value at $25-35 range.
Two American League MVPs from the 2006 season whose awards translated to strong 2007 Topps card values were Justin Morneau of the Twins and Justin Verlander of the Tigers. Morneau’s breakout 34 home run, 130 RBI season earning him AL MVP honors made his ’07 Topps card highly sought after by collectors. Pristine mint condition copies have sold for $25-35. Verlander, already showing ace potential in his first full season, won the AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP, making the 24-year old hurler one of the most exciting young stars in the game. Near mint/mint copies of his base 2007 Topps card have sold for as much as $50-75 showing his star power even as a rookie.
Beyond base rookie cards of future stars, autograph and memorabilia rookie cards from the 2007 Topps set carry much higher values given their scarcity and connection to notable players pre-fame. Some examples of current market prices for autographed/memorabilia rookie cards include a Justin Verlander autographed card at $250-300, a Troy Tulowitzki autographed card from $150-200 and a Dustin Pedroia autographed card ranging from $125-175 depending on condition. For pitchers, autographed rookie cards of Jonathan Papelbon, Clay Buchholz and Tim Lincecum can fetch $150-250.
Moving beyond rookie stars, value is also found in popular veterans, team parallel/refractor/numbered cards and stars entering their primes. Dodgers ace Chad Billingsley had emerged in 2006 with a 15-7 record and 3.35 ERA, earning an All-Star nod as a 23-year old. His base ’07 Topps card sells for around $15-20 while autographed or memorabilia cards go for $75-100. Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, coming off a 32 home run, 117 RBI season in ’06 had strong demand for his ’07 Topps cards with graded mint copies selling between $10-15.
Two young stars who were hitting their stride and gaining great popularity and prolific pageantry on the field in the early 2000s, Albert Pujols and Nomar Garciaparra, saw special parallel/refractor/numbered versions of their ’07 Topps cards fetch premium pricing. A Pujols gold refractor parallel numbered to 50 copies could sell for $150-200 while a Nomar Garciaparra autograph refractor numbered to just 5 copies was once sold at auction for an impressive $800. Their brand popularity and rarity pushed special parallel collectibles above base card values significantly.
Overall, 2007 Topps baseball cards provide an interesting historical set to build full or partial team/player collections from as values have held up decently well now 15+ years later. While not achieving the loftiest heights of the late 80s/early 90s era in some cases, the star power and performances referenced on the cardboard transports collectors of all ages back in time each time they rummage through boxes or binders in lifelong pursuit of their baseball card collection and nostalgic memories tied to the players, seasons and sets they collected at various points throughout their hobby interest over the decades. While a sense of completion and enjoyment of the puzzle building process motivates most serious collectors, monetary value lends additional incentive for those also collecting from an investment angle as the years roll on.
