The 1997 Topps baseball card set was released at the beginning of that baseball season and featured cards of Major League players from the 1996 season. There are 792 total cards in the base set which included photos, stats and bios of players from both the American and National Leagues. While it does not feature the superstar rookies or Hall of Famers of some other years, the 1997 Topps set provides collectors a snapshot of the players and teams from that era at affordable prices. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the standout cards and players from the ’97 Topps set along with their potential current values.
The rookie class of 1997 did not produce any future superstars but there are a few cards that still hold some value. Nomar Garciaparra’s rookie card (card #361) is probably the most sought after from that year. Garciaparra had a very good rookie season batting .313 with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs which showed his potential. In near mint to mint condition, his rookie fetches around $15-25. Other rookie cards that can attract interest include Francisco Cordero (#496, $2-5), Carlos Beltran (#685, $3-7) and Miguel Cabrera (#571, $5-10).
Collectors interested in Hall of Fame talents will want to seek out cards featuring Ken Griffey Jr. (#106), Greg Maddux (#149), John Smoltz (#244), Craig Biggio (#329), Randy Johnson (#355) and Pedro Martinez (#498). Griffey’s card remains one of the most iconic from the late 90s period and grade-dependent can sell from $10-25. Maddux, still early in his legendary career with the Braves, can sell for $3-8 while Pedro Martinez around $4-10 based on condition.
The star rookie cards may not wow collectors from 1997 but there are plenty of established stars and All-Stars from the mid-90s whose cards hold steady values. For example, Barry Bonds (#214) routinely sells for $4-10 given his unprecedented run in the late 90s-early 2000s. Mark McGwire (#251) and Sammy Sosa (#586), in the heart of their epic home run chase, can attract $3-8 depending on condition. Other consistent hitters like Jeff Bagwell (#298, $4-8), Frank Thomas (#397, $5-10) and Mike Piazza (#470, $4-8) round out solid mid-range options for collectors.
For American League fans, future Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.’s (#389) card remains among the most identifiable and collectible from the late 80s-90s. In gem mint condition it can reach $15-25 but most fall in the $5-10 range. Shortstop Derek Jeter’s (#451) rookie season showed his promise and that card sells for around $3-7. Other top AL players like Alex Rodriguez (#679), Ken Griffey Jr. (#106), Juan Gonzalez (#228) and Roberto Alomar (#299) range from $3-10 depending on the player and condition.
For those interested in star pitchers of the era, Randy Johnson’s (#355) split between the Mariners and Astros after being traded mid-season makes his one of the more interesting pitching cards outside of the rookies. In gem mint it can reach $15-20. Greg Maddux (#149) as an Atlanta Brave and Pedro Martinez (#498) as an Expo remain top sellers at $5-10. John Smoltz (#244) and Roger Clemens (#242, #460) round out elite arms worth $3-8 per card. Relievers like Dennis Eckersley (#360) and John Wetteland (#636) can attract $4-10 for their dominant late 90s seasons.
Beyond the stars, there are plenty of other opportunities to find value throughout the set. For example, veteran fan-favorites like Tim Raines(#294), Tony Gwynn (#346), Ozzie Smith (#521), Wade Boggs (#528) and Tom Glavine (#591) sell steadily for $3-6. Rookies may not impress overall but later All-Stars like Livan Hernandez (#589), Mike Sweeney (#673) and Jason Giambi (#677) can be had for $1-3. And for team collectors, full team sets featuring lineups, pitching staffs and more can be found on auction sites. The 1997 Topps Baseball set remains filled with affordable nostalgia for fans and collectors. With patient searching, strong condition cards from stars or future stars can still be acquired at reasonable prices.
While it lacks the true rookie superstar power of some other years, the 1997 Topps Baseball set still offers collectors and investors plenty of entertaining and relatively affordable options close to the mid-90s peak of the sport’s popularity. Rookies may not wow but established stars like Bonds, McGwire, Griffey, Bagwell, Ripken and Maddux along with talented youngsters like Jeter, Rodriguez and Beltran ensure strong demand. With a large complete set still under $100, it represents an entry point for growing a baseball card collection. With some diligence, grading and holding, appreciating gems from stars can be found and held for continued value. The 1997 Topps set endures as an snapshot of the late 90s MLB landscape at accessible price points.
