The 2005 Topps baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the decade. Coming off massive popularity in the late 90s and early 2000s, Topps baseball cards remained the most popular and widely collected brand in the hobby. The 2005 set showcased some of the biggest stars and rising talents in the game at the time. While not the flashiest design compared to sets before and after, 2005 Topps cards featured quality photography and captured memorable moments from the 2004 season. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout cards from the 2005 Topps baseball set that have become highly sought after by collectors in recent years.
One of the most iconic rookie cards from the 2005 Topps set is the Chipper Jones rookie card. As one of the greatest third basemen of all time and longtime Atlanta Braves star, Jones’ rookie card from 1990 Fleer is one of the most valuable cards on the vintage market. His 2005 Topps update card, showing him in a Braves uniform with “Chipper Jones 3000 Hits” printed below, commemorated him becoming just the 22nd player in MLB history to reach the 3000 hit milestone. This card remains one of the most popular Braves cards for collectors and a must-have for any Chipper Jones PC. Graded gem mint 10 examples regularly sell for over $100.
Another huge star on the decline with an iconic 2005 Topps card is Barry Bonds. His card from the set features him in a Giants uniform swinging and simply says “Barry Bonds 703 Home Runs” below. This marked Bonds breaking Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record. Despite the controversy around Bonds and PED era, his career accomplishments are undeniable and this card commemorating one of baseball’s most hallowed records remains highly sought after. Higher end PSA/BGS 10 grades can fetch $300-500.
Rookies were also a big draw in 2005 Topps, headlined by one of the set’s most valuable cards – the Justin Verlander rookie. Verlander would go on to win Rookie of the Year honors, the AL Cy Young and MVP in 2011, and two no-hitters. His card shows him windup in a Tigers uniform with “Rookie” printed below. High grade Verlander rookies in PSA 10 condition have sold for well over $1000 in recent years as his Hall of Fame caliber career has progressed.
Another star rookie from the 2005 set is Ryan Howard’s card, which pictures him in a Phillies uniform with “Rookie” below. Howard would go on to win the 2005 NL Rookie of the Year and MVP in 2006. He was a dominant power hitter for Philadelphia in the late 2000s. PSA 10 Howard rookies have also cracked the $1000 price point.
The 2005 Topps set is also known for featuring some of the game’s biggest stars who are now retired, such as Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro Suzuki, and Albert Pujols. Jeter’s card pictures him in a classic Yankees pose that exemplifies his career. A-Rod is shown taking a big cut for the Yankees. Ichiro is showcasing his elite fielding ability and cannon arm in right for the Mariners. Pujols displays his prodigious power for the Cardinals. All four future Hall of Famers have cards that resonate strongly with collectors today.
Other standouts from 2005 Topps include rookie cards of future stars like David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman, and Prince Fielder. Update cards honoring milestones for Ken Griffey Jr., Rafael Palmeiro, and Craig Biggio are also highly sought after. Palmeiro’s marks him hitting his 500th home run while Griffey and Biggio cards celebrate 3000 hits. Autograph and memorabilia cards from the base set featuring stars like Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson are valuable as well.
The 2005 Topps baseball set remains a highly collectible vintage release over 15 years later. It captured iconic players and career moments on classic cardboard at the height of the hobby. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Verlander and stars like Chipper Jones make it a set that any vintage baseball card collector should consider building. While not the flashiest design, 2005 Topps cards hold nostalgia and feature some of the most legendary names in baseball history.
