The 2007 Topps Baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. Coming off a postseason filled with dramatic playoff runs, close World Series games, and MLB’s continued rise in popularity, collectors were eager to get their hands on the newest Topps cards. The set featured several young stars who were beginning to emerge as the future faces of the game as well as established veterans still performing at an elite level. While no single card could be considered the true “best” due to differences in personal collecting interests and player preferences, here are some of the most notable rookies, stars, and short prints from the 2007 Topps Baseball set that are highly sought after by collectors today.
One of the top rookie cards from the 2007 set was Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers. As a second year player in 2007, Kinsler was breaking out with his first All-Star appearance and finishing 8th in AL MVP voting. His rookie card showed him batting from the left side with a blue and orange Rangers uniform. With Kinsler going on to have a solid career as a perennial All-Star and leader for the Rangers, his rookie card from this set remains a key piece for any collection of 2000s stars. Another outstanding rookie was Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox. After winning the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2006, Pedroia appeared on the cover of the 2007 Topps set in his red Sox uniform. His rookie card, showing him fielding a ground ball, captured him at the start of what became a fantastic career as a 4-time All-Star and 4-time Gold Glove winner.
On the pitching side, one of the top rookie cards was that of Zack Greinke for the Kansas City Royals. Greinke would go on to win the AL Cy Young award in 2009 but his rookie card from 2007 showcased him at the beginning of his dominant run. Other notable rookie pitchers included Jon Lester of the Red Sox, who became a cancer survivor success story and 3-time World Series champion, and Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies, who won the World Series MVP and a title in 2008. While rookie cards are often the most sought-after, the 2007 Topps set also featured many star veterans at the peaks of their careers.
Cards like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and David Ortiz were always highly valuable as they represented some of the biggest names in the sport at the time. One star card that stands out is number 161, depicting Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals in his classic straight-on batting stance. Pujols had followed up his 2005 and 2006 MVP seasons by winning another in 2007, cementing his status as the best hitter in baseball. His card captured him during arguably the prime of his otherworldly career. Other top star cards included number 97 for Ichiro Suzuki, who was still performing at his hit-record setting pace with the Mariners, and number 299, a Mike Piazza card in a Mets uniform that represented one of the all-time great sluggers.
While rookie cards and star players were highly sought, collectors also coveted short printed parallel and serial numbered cards in the 2007 Topps set. Some of the most valuable short prints included the gold parallel cards, which were limited to only one per case. Standouts here were the gold parallels of Justin Verlander, Ryan Howard, and Dustin Pedroia. Another scarce parallel was the red foil-signed version limited to only 10 copies. Highlights of the red parallels included Lester, Carlos Zambrano, and Chase Utley. Lastly, the serial numbered prospect cards featuring future stars like Troy Tulowitzki, Ryan Braun, and Jay Bruce were very limited and hold significant value today. The 2007 Topps Baseball release truly captured many of the sports’ brightest young talents as well as its established veteran stars, making many of its cards highly valuable in today’s collecting market. The combination of star rookies, MVP-caliber veterans, and rare parallel versions give this set a well-rounded mix that will continue to attract collectors.
