The 2001 Topps baseball card set showcased players and rookies from the 2000 MLB season. While not one of the most iconic or popular Topps releases in history, the 2001 set contained several highly valuable rookie cards that have increased exponentially in price over the past two decades. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and desirable Topps 2001 baseball cards in today’s market.

Perhaps the most well-known and expensive card from the 2001 Topps set is the Alex Rodriguez rookie card. As one of the greatest hitters of all time, Rodriguez made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 1994 and truly established himself as a superstar during his MVP seasons with the Texas Rangers in the late 90s/early 2000s. The 2001 Topps card marks A-Rod’s first appearance in the flagship Topps set since his true MLB rookie year was covered in the 1993 Upper Deck set.

In pristine mint condition, Rodriguez’s 2001 Topps rookie card routinely sells for over $10,000 and has reached as high as $20,000 in auction. Even well-centered near-mint copies trade hands for $5,000+. The card’s value is driven not just by Rodriguez’s Hall of Fame career but also by the fact this is considered his true “rookie card” recognized in the standard Topps set most collectors pursue. With Rodriguez’s status as one of the best to ever play the game, the card remains one of the most coveted in the hobby.

Another 2001 rookie card that has grown exponentially in value is Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw. Making his MLB debut in 2008, Kershaw quickly proved to be one of the premier starting pitchers of his generation by winning three Cy Young Awards before age 30. In pristine black-labeled mint condition, Kershaw’s 2001 Topps rookie card fetches over $800-1,000 on the secondary market. High-grade near-mint copies usually sell in the $500 range showing impressive long-term potential for the left-hander if he’s able to add to his Hall of Fame resume.

While those are the two biggest ticket cards, there are several other valuable 2001 Topps rookies as well. Cubs’ star first baseman Anthony Rizzo had his rookie card issued in 2001 featuring his early years in the Red Sox organization before being traded. High-grade Rizzo rookies sell for $150-250 long term as he’s developed into an annual All-Star and RBI threat for Chicago. Astros ace Justin Verlander also had his rookie card released in 2001 as a prospect in the Detroit Tigers organization. Given Verlander’s continued dominance well into his late 30s, high-end PSA/BGS graded versions trade for $150-300.

Although not rookies, there are some star cards of established players from 2001 that have increased substantially in value. Perhaps shining the brightest is the Chipper Jones trophy insert card featuring the Braves legend swinging away. High-grade black-labeled versions of this sought-after parallel last sold for over $1,000 as Jones is cemented as one of the greatest third basemen in MLB history. Hall of Famer Greg Maddux also has a popular high-number card from the 2001 set that graded mint copies trade hands for $150-300 given his legendary 230+ win career.

While most common base cards from the 2001 Topps set hold little monetary value today, there is retained collector interest in high-numbers and inserts of superstar players. Miguel Cabrera debuted with the Florida Marlins in 2001 and near-mint examples of his coveted record-breaking hit #750 parallel sell for $50-100 long term. Red Sox icon David Ortiz had several star parallels pulled in the 2001 update series as well that command $40-80 in high grades.

While not the most iconic release year, the 2001 Topps baseball card set remains an important one in the hobby given its presentation of rookie cards for future Hall of Famers like Alex Rodriguez and Clayton Kershaw. For the patient collector, picking up and grading these valuable RCs from the set could yield strong long-term returns as the players’ legacies cement themselves in Cooperstown. Combined with inserts and parallels of proven legends, the 2001 Topps set holds recognizable value more than two decades later.