The Topps 2002 baseball card set is considered one of the more iconic and valuable issues from the early 2000s. With various star rookies and career seasons reflected on the cards, this set provides novice and seasoned collectors plenty of focus for researching individual card values. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top newcomers and veteran stars featured in 2002 Topps and what their unique rookie or noteworthy cards have sold for in recent years.
One of the most sought-after rookie cards from the 2002 Topps set is Cardinals Pitcher Jason Isringhausen, who posted a dominant 2.83 ERA over 216 innings that year in his first season as St. Louis’ closer. Isringhausen’s rookie card, found in the base set as card #531, has sold for as much as $200 in mint condition. Another rookie drawing significant attention is Angels slugger Darin Erstad’s card from 2002, #468 in the base set. Erstad went on to have a productive 13-year career primarily with the Halos and his rookie fetched over $125 in a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade. Cubs stalwart Kerry Wood, who battled injuries but tossed a 20-strikeout game as a rookie in 1998, is featured on card #469 from his breakout 249-strikeout, 2.43 ERA season in 2002. Wood’s starring player card has changed hands for nearly $175 in top condition.
Other noteworthy rookies includes Twins pitcher Johan Santana’s #301 card, which has sold for upwards of $150 given his eventual Cy Young caliber career. Cardinals ace pitcher Chris Carpenter’s rookie on card #473 also regularly trades at over $100 due to his outstanding years anchoring the Cardinals’ staff. Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay had a breakout season in 2002 with a 20-win, 2.93 ERA campaign and his Topps rookie, #433, has reached $125 in pristine condition. Dodgers slugger Adrian Beltre made his MLB debut in 1998 but 2002 on the Dodgers was his first full season, and the rookie card at #349 has sold for close to $100. Then there is the card of one of the game’s all-time greats, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, who swatted 37 home runs in his rookie campaign of 2001 featured on the much-coveted #172 card valued at over $500 in top grades.
Moving beyond rookies, the star power displayed by veterans in the 2002 Topps set also creates desire for higher end card valuations. One of the biggest rarities is Cardinals’ legend Stan Musial’s final career card appearance at #144 from 1962. In impeccable condition this iconic piece of cardboard has been known to sell for well over $2000. Similarly, a PSA 10 of Hank Aaron’s 1973 Topps card #144, which captured him breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, has gone for just under $10,000 at auction. For active players in 2002, Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire chasing the single-season home run record generated collector fervor for his #369 card, reaching $400 in mint condition. Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra’s #157 reflecting his .323, 38 home run campaign that year has seen prices up to $250 in top shape.
Cubs ace Kerry Wood’s #469 card from his breakout 20-strikeout game rookie season in 1998 that was featured again in the 2002 Topps set has also traded hands for nearly $175 in gem mint condition. Braves hurler Greg Maddux, owner of 4 Cy Young Awards at the time, appears on card #205 from his consistent 2001 season and it has sold for over $125 pristine. Then there is Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez, who blasted 29 home runs with 105 RBI for Boston in 2002, on card #434 valued at almost $100 immaculate. There are also star veterans like Barry Bonds on card #97 ($150 PSA 10 sale price), Mike Piazza on card #435 ($125), and Craig Biggio on card #181 ($100) that collectors voraciously pursue in high grade.
While stars and rookies draw the most attention, set builders seeking complete 2002 Topps collections also factor common player cards into the pricing equation. More affordable options exist across the 660-card base issue. For example, Dodgers outfielder Shawn Green’s #223 card reflecting his .287, 33 homer season has sold for around $20 in top condition. Rockies hurler Jason Jennings’ #381 reflecting his impressive rookie stats of a 3.54 ERA over 168.2 innings changed hands for about $15 mint. Cardinals infielder Fernando Vina’s #531 card from his .288 average, 52 RBI season sold for $12 pristinely preserved. And role player types like Giants first baseman J.T. Snow’s #626 highlighting his .288, 9 home run output that year have traded at the $10 price point in top grades.
While stars will likely always drive the highest values for vintage rookie cards and noteworthy player cards of superstar seasons, the 2002 Topps baseball set as a whole remains a staple for collectors. With a truly iconic rookie class and reflection of many all-time great seasons, this issue will maintain relevance in the hobby for years to come. Across the spectrum of common players to franchise legends, the 2002 Topps set provides opportunities for growth regardless of budget. Condition sensitive collectors would be wise to acquire quality examples they find affordable before prices escalate further with time.
