Tag Archives: chrome

BEST 2021 TOPPS CHROME BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2021 Topps Chrome baseball card set was highly anticipated by collectors and provided some exciting rookie cards and parallels to chase. As a refractor parallel of the standard Topps flagship set, Topps Chrome features a photo-chrome finish on each card that makes the images really pop. This added layer of visual appeal is a big part of what makes Topps Chrome cards so desirable. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top rookies and other standout cards from the 2021 Topps Chrome release.

One of the most coveted rookie cards in the 2021 Topps Chrome set was that of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. As the top-rated prospect in all of baseball, Franco’s rookie card demand was through the roof even before he made his MLB debut. His paper Topps rookie fetched big money, but the Topps Chrome version took things to another level due to the enhanced photo and refractor technology. Franco rookie Chrome cards, even in the base parallel, sold for well over $100 each. Rarer parallels like the blue refractor /499 or red refractor /250 commanded prices upwards of $1,000. With Franco cementing himself as a true superstar in his rookie season, his cards hold strong long-term value.

Another huge name for rookie cards in 2021 Topps Chrome was Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. While not as established as Franco just yet, Rodriguez made a huge splash in his debut campaign and showed tantalizing five-tool talent. Like Franco, even his base Topps Chrome rookie sold for well over the average hobby box price. The prized parallel was the /150 gold refractor, which regularly sold in the $300-500 range. With Rodriguez looking like a future All-Star and Seattle contender, his cards could appreciate significantly with more success on the field. Beyond Franco and Rodriguez, other top rookies like Bobby Witt Jr. and Riley Greene also had their share of desirable Topps Chrome cards to chase.

In addition to the exciting rookie crop, 2021 Topps Chrome also featured some highly sought-after veteran and star player cards. For example, Shohei Ohtani’s base Topps Chrome card sold quite well above other position players due to his two-way superstar status. Rarer Ohtani parallels like the /150 gold refractor and /50 gold label refractor reached prices over $1,000 each. Other established names that commanded top dollar across parallels included Fernando Tatis Jr., Mike Trout, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Mookie Betts. For team collectors, parallels of hometown stars like Juan Soto, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were especially hot.

When it comes to parallel rarities, the true high-end hits of 2021 Topps Chrome were the 1/1 printing plates and logo man relic cards. Printing plates feature the full photo of a selected player without any borders or numbering, making each one completely unique. Plates of the top rookies like Franco, Rodriguez, Witt Jr. and Greene sold for $5,000+ each. Even plates of veteran stars like Trout, Tatis and Acuña fetched $3,000+. As for logo man relics, these ultra-rare patches or pieces of uniform with the Topps logo were true needle-in-a-haystack finds. A Franco or Witt Jr. logo man could sell for well over $10,000 if they surfaced. While almost impossible to pull, these one-of-a-kind pieces create a lot of collector excitement for Topps Chrome.

In addition to the base set, Topps Chrome also had several exciting insert sets to chase after. The Archives set paid tribute to classic Topps designs, the All-Star insert featured current MLB stars, and the Flashback Friday cards honored players from years past. The most coveted insert was Topps Chrome Update, which included rookie debut cards for players who were not in the main series release. Cards like Jarren Duran, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Dustin May all gained popularity from their Update rookie Chrome variants. For team and player collectors, these inserts provided extra cardboard to track down outside the base checklist.

The 2021 Topps Chrome baseball card release was full of exciting rookie cards, star player parallels, and ultra-rare hits that created a huge buzz around the hobby. With its enhanced photo technology and vast array of parallel and insert options, Topps Chrome continues to be one of the premier modern issues for collectors every year. While the base cards of stars like Franco, Rodriguez and Ohtani gained value quickly, the true long-term blue-chip investments were the lowest-numbered refractors and one-of-a-kind printing plates. For those who chased the 2021 Topps Chrome set hard, many were richly rewarded with cards poised to appreciate significantly with time. It’s clear why the release remains such an integral part of the annual card calendar for collectors both casual and diehard.

1998 BOWMAN CHROME BASEBALL MOST VALUABLE CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1998 Bowman Chrome baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the 1990s due to its retro design paying homage to the iconic 1952 Topps set and its usage of chrome technology which gave the cards a highly collected gold foil front. The set contained cards for all notable MLB players from rookies to stars and featured parallel versions printed on different colored borders that added to the excitement of the release.

While not as pricey as some other vintage and modern baseball cards from the era, the 1998 Bowman Chrome set holds a special place in the hearts of collectors for capturing future Hall of Famers and stars in their early MLB years through its cutting-edge foil technology. Several cards have proven to be valuable long-term investments for collectors as well given strong player performance and demand over the subsequent decades. Here are some of the most expensive and sought-after rookie and star cards from the 1998 Bowman Chrome baseball set:

The undisputed king of 1998 Bowman Chrome is the Derek Jeter rookie card. Listed PSA 10, it routinely fetches over $10,000 today. As perhaps the most well-known Yankee of his generation and a surefire lock for the Hall of Fame, Jeter’s rookie card appeal has only increased over time. With his regal photo and iconic pinstripes, it is easy to see why this modern classic captures the attention and wallets of collectors. Less pristine PSA 9 copies can also sell for $3-5K, so graded examples remain quite pricey regardless of condition.

Another rookie sensation of 1998 was Texas Rangers slugger and American League MVP Iván Rodríguez. His Bowman Chrome RC has benefited from “Pudge” putting together a Hall of Fame career primarily known for his defensive prowess behind the plate. High-grade PSA 10 Rodríguez rookies sell in the $800-1500 range on the secondary market currently. Slightly played PSA 8 or 9 versions remain quite affordable for most collectors compared to other top RCs from this set. As one of the greatest catchers ever, Rodriguez’s allure endures.

Sammy Sosa’s electrifying home run chase years with the Chicago Cubs in 1998 helped propel his rookie card into must-have territory. Bowman Chrome captured Sosa at the start of his six-year span crushing over 60 homers that culminated with 66 and 63 dingers respectively in 1998-99. PSA 10 Sosa rookies bring $300-500, but high-grade copies in PSA 9 sell closer to $150-250 still making it attainable for enthusiasts seeking a fun piece of ‘90s cardboard. Sosa’s reputation has taken hits, but demand remains for his early Cubs RC years.

While injuries stalled his Hall of Fame trajectory, Nomar Garciaparra looked like a sure-fire Cooperstown lock in 1998 as the AL Rookie of the Year for the Boston Red Sox. One of the most complete hitters of his era, Nomar could do it all at shortstop in the heart of a powerhouse Sox lineup. Even PSA 10 examples only sell around $150 today, demonstrating reasonable supply despite strong on-field performance that unfortunately was derailed by health woes. But for Sox diehards, it captures a special time in franchise lore.

Power pitcher Kerry Wood electrified Wrigley Field and Cub fans everywhere in 1998 with a record-tying 20 strikeout game. His Bowman Chrome RC caught the promise of this fireballer and it remains one of the more visually striking in the set with its dramatic action shot. PSA 10 Woods are in the $150-250 range showing stability, with PSA 9 copies retaining similar $100ish values. As Wood’s career was cut short, the RC preserves the excitement of that breakout season for collectors.

Many other stars dot the 1998 Bowman Chrome set at reasonable prices too such as Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez, Brad Lidge, Nomar Garciaparra, Ben Sheets, Tom Glavine, Jason Kendall and Paul Konerko. The aforementioned hottest rookie cards continue climbing the ladder as accolades and championships piled up in recent decades. For capturing rookie sensations and future Hall of Famers, the 1998 Bowman Chrome set remains a must-have for baseball collectors due to its artistic design, rich histories featured, and long term value found in PSA 10 examples of its biggest names.

While not yielding cards worth thousands today generally like more vintage sets, the 1998 Bowman Chrome release proved prophetic by highlighting future legends of the diamond in their earliest pro seasons through brilliant use of foil technology. It ignited the collector frenzy for modern parallel rookies that transformed the entire sportscard industry. Over 25 years later, this set endures as one capturing lightning in a bottle by commemorating stars, stories, and stats that went on to make baseball history for generations to come.