The 2002 Topps baseball card set is highly sought after by collectors 20 years later for its sharp photography and memorable rookie cards of future Hall of Famers. While most common cards from the set hold little monetary value, there are a select group of cards that have grown exponentially more valuable with time. For the serious collector looking to invest, here are some of the most valuable 2002 Topps baseball cards to keep an eye out for.
Perhaps the most renowned rookie card from the 2002 Topps set is that of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver. Weaver would go on to become a 5-time All-Star and win the 2010 AL Cy Young award. In PSA 10 gem mint condition, his rookie card now commands prices upwards of $500. With Weaver likely to be a future Hall of Famer, his rookie could continue climbing in value after he hangs up his cleats. Another Angels player with a highly valued rookie is Joe Saunders. Though not the player Weaver became, his card has seen recent EBay sales reach as high as $150-200 in mint condition due to his scarcity in the set.
Staying in the AL West, the Seattle Mariners gifted collectors two future Hall of Fame rookies in 2002: Ichiro Suzuki and Jamie Moyer. Ichiro’s explosive rookie season made his Topps card one of the most chased after in the set from the beginning. Even in well-worn condition it can fetch $50-75, but a PSA 10 recently changed hands for an astonishing $2,000. Moyer already had a few years in the league but 2002 saw his Topps rookie card inclusion. While not nearly as valuable as Ichiro’s at this time, a pristine Moyer rookie has sold for around $150.
Shifting to the AL East, New York Yankees rookie third baseman Drew Henson got quite a bit of pre-debut hype in 2002 that carried over to his rookie card. Though Henson couldn’t live up to expectations on the field, his card remains a bit of a unicorn. Even in poor condition examples are quite scarce and can get $50-75 in auctions. Meanwhile, across town the performance of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells lived up to the promise. His smooth lefty swing became a fixture in the Jays’ lineup for years. As a result, Wells’ rookie commands $75-125 for a PSA 10 based on recent sales.
Two National League West stars that debuted exciting rookie seasons in 2002 were Dontrelle Willis of the Florida Marlins and Bobby Crosby of the Oakland Athletics. Willis burst onto the scene by winning the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year award and Crosby took home AL honors that year. Both players showed flashes of stardom that gave their rookies strong initial collector interest. Today, high grade Willis and Crosby rookies can reach $150-250 each. Another notable NL West rookie was San Francisco Giants pitcher Jason Christiansen, though he didn’t achieve the success of Willis or Crosby on the field. Christiansen’s scarcity has made his card surprisingly coveted, with PSA 10’s trading at $200-300 in recent years.
Switching to the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies sparked hopes of a young core centered around Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell, and Brett Myers in 2002. Rollins achieved the most sustained success, becoming a perennial All-Star and future MVP. His rookie continues to appeal to Phillies collectors and a PSA 10 is valued at $150-200 nowadays. Burrell and Myers had flashes but didn’t stick around as long. Still, high grade versions of their rookies can fetch $75-100 each in the current market. Another heralded NL East rookie was that of Jose Reyes for the New York Mets. Injuries hampered Reyes’ career potential but his card captures the excitement of his electrifying early seasons. Pristine Reyes rookies change hands around the $150 range today.
Perhaps the two most monetarily significant rookies from the entire 2002 Topps set reside in the National League Central. The Houston Astros had whiffed on early picks for years but struck gold by selecting Roy Oswalt 22nd overall in 1996. By 2002, Oswalt was an emerging ace and his Topps rookie is one of the true jewels from the set. High grade Oswalt’s routinely sell for $400-600 depending on condition. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs had big plans for Puerto Rican shortstop Felix Pie that year. Though Pie didn’t develop as hoped, his rookie’s scarcity makes it extremely valuable at auction. A truly flawless PSA 10 Pie card recently sold for an astounding $900.
While stars like Ichiro, Weaver, and Oswalt understandably command top dollar, savvy collectors recognize value throughout the entire 2002 Topps set. Additional keys to focus on acquiring include Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb, Twins outfielder Jacque Jones, and Pirates first baseman Randall Simon. Each possess various attributes that enhance their collector value such as memorable performances, team affiliations, or levels of scarcity compared to production. With 20 years elapsed, the monetary upside for elite conditioned examples of the premier 2002 rookies appears quite secure for long term investors. The high quality photography and provenance of future greats make Topps’ 2002 offering one of the set’s prized contemporary releases.
