The 2000 Topps baseball card set is one of the more iconic issues from the late 90s/early 2000s era. Issued at the tail end of the steroid era, the set features some true superstars of the game at the height of their powers. Let’s take a deeper look at the key cards from 2000 Topps and find out what they might be worth today according to the latest price guide.
The base card design is clean and simple, featuring an action photo of the player with their team logo and uniform colors taking up the majority of the front of the card. On the back is standard career and stats information. The base cards were extremely widely produced and as a result, most are only worth between $.10 to $1 depending on the player featured. There are a few inserts and parallels in the set that have increased drastically in value over the past 20+ years.
Leading the way price-wise is card #1, the Ken Griffey Jr. This was Griffey’s last season with the Mariners before being traded to the Reds and he was still considered one of the true elite talents in the game. High-grade Griffey rookie cards from 1989 Upper Deck are some of the most sought-after cards ever, so anytime you see a Griffey in the 1950s era and later there is demand. In a PSA 10 gem mint state, the 2000 Topps Griffey #1 regularly fetches $100-150. Even in EX-MT condition it sells for $15-25. With Griffey’s legendary status, this card’s price is only likely to continue increasing.
Another superstar who was entering his statistical prime in 2000 was Barry Bonds. His #158 card in the set shows him in his classic Pirates powder blue uniform, long before his big Giants/steroid controversy years. Nonetheless, collectors are always searching high and low for Bonds cards from his 70s/80s/90s Pirates days. In top PSA 10 condition the 2000 Topps Bonds can sell in the $50-75 range. Most graded Bonds from this era and before have proven to be sound long term investments.
While pitchers rarely drive the price of sets quite like position players, there is one hurler in the 2000 Topps set that stands out significantly – Pedro Martinez. The Red Sox flamed-throwing righty was arguably the best pitcher in baseball throughout the late 90s. His dominance is captured perfectly on card #616. At the time, nobody could hit Pedro and the 2000 season saw him post one of the all-time greatest single season ERAs of 1.74. High-grade Pedro Martinez rookies from 1992 are 8-figure cards. But even his 2000 Topps card in top condition trades hands in the $50-75 range.
Moving away from the true stars of the era, there are a few notable rookie cards and prospects that have also increased substantially in the ensuing years. Often times in any vintage set it’s the rookies that end up driving future collector demand, as fans become nostalgic for finding stars in their earliest cardboard appearances. In the 2000 Topps set those include:
Carlos Beltran (#327) – The five-tool Royals center fielder was one of the most exciting young players in baseball in 2000. Even high-grade examples can be found in the $30-50 range today.
Lance Berkman (#579) – The versatile slugging 1B/OF was a sensation right away for Houston in 2000. His rookie has found a $15-25 market.
Ryan Howard (#785) – Big pieces of Phillies history, Howard’s rookie card has doubled from a $5 card to a $10-15 valued piece in today’s market.
Chase Utley (#816) – Another integral piece of the dominant 2000s Phillies teams, his rookie is a $10-15 hold.
Francisco Cordero (#907) – Yes, the reliever ended up having a fine career but not a true star. His cards are highly collected by Cincinnati fans. Graded rookies can be had for $7-12.
That covers some of the true big hitters and prospective rookie gems from the 2000 Topps baseball card set. Factoring in supply/demand dynamics as well as the continued nostalgia trend, most cards featured from this largely overlooked but talent-packed era have proven to be solid long term collectors items. The allure of capturing players from the steroid saturated late 90s/early 2000s at the height of their skills remains high. And icons like Griffey, Bonds and Pedro continue appreciating as their legendary playing careers become more embedded in sports history with each passing year. Overall, 2000 Topps presents an affordable way to add some iconic 20+ year old cardboard to your collection.
