1998 Topps

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Description

1998 Topps is a 503-card set distributed in two separate series: 282 cards in first series and 221 cards in second series. Card number 7 was permanently retired in 1996 to honor Mickey Mantle, so the set is sequentially-numbered to card #504.

Series One contains the following subsets: Draft Picks (245-249), Prospects (250-259), Season Highlights (265-269), Interleague (270-274) Checklists (275-276) and World Series (277-283). Series Two contains Season Highlights (474-478), Interleague (479-483), Prospects (484-495/498-501) and Checklists (502-503).

This set also features Topps long-awaited first Alex Rodriguez card (#504). The superstar shortstop was left out of all Topps sets for the first four years of his career due to a problem between Topps and Rodriguez's agent Scott Boras. (See our article on 1993 Topps Traded for more information.)

Randy Myers, who led the AL in saves and was an All-Star in 1997, doesn't have any 1998 Topps cards. Future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson also does not appear in the base set; however, he is in the "Hall Bound" insert.

Finally, as part of an agreement with the Baseball Hall of Fame, Topps produced commemorative admission tickets featuring Roberto Clemente memorabilia from the Hall in the form of a Topps card. These were the standard admission tickets for the shrine, and were also included one per case in 1998 Topps Series Two baseball.

Distribution

Hobby/Retail Wax: 36 packs per box, 11 cards per pack (MSRP: $1.29).

Jumbo: 40 cards per pack, 12 packs per box (MSRP: $5). Hobby only.

Factory sets.

Reviews

Insertion Ratios

Series One

Cards Total Cards Numbered To Hobby Odds Retail Odds HTA Odds
Base 282 - 11:1 11:1 39:1
Minted in Cooperstown 282 - 1:8 1:8 one-per-pack
Roberto Clemente Reprints 10 - 1:18 1:18 ?
Roberto Clemente Finest Reprints 9 - 1:72 1:72 ?
Roberto Clemente Finest Refractor Reprints 9 - 1:288 1:288 ?
Roberto Clemente Tribute 5 - 1:12 1:12 ?
Etch-A-Sketch 9 - 1:36 1:36 ?
Mystery Finest 20 - 1:36 1:36 ?
Mystery Finest Refractors 20 - 1:144 1:144 ?
Flashback 10 - 1:72 1:72 ?
HallBound 15 - 1:36 N/A 1:36
Baby Boomers 15 - N/A 1:36 N/A
Roberto Clemente Memorabilia Madness 46 854 total cards 1:3,708 N/A 1:1,020

Series Two

Cards Total Cards Numbered To Hobby Odds Retail Odds HTA Odds
Base 221 - 11:1 11:1 39:1
Minted in Cooperstown 221 - 1:8 1:8 one-per-pack
Roberto Clemente Reprints 9 - 1:18 1:18 ?
Roberto Clemente Finest Reprints 10 - 1:72 1:72 ?
Roberto Clemente Finest Refractor Reprints 10 - 1:288 1:288 ?
Rookie Class 10 - 1:12 1:12 ?
Mystery Finest Bordered 20 - 1:36 1:36 ?
Mystery Finest Bordered Refractor 20 - 1:108 1:108 ?
Mystery Finest Borderless 20 - 1:72 1:72 ?
Mystery Finest Borderless Refractor 20 - 1:288 1:288 ?
Clout Nine 9 - 1:72 1:72 ?
Focal Points 15 - 1:36 N/A ?
Milestones 10 - N/A 1:36 N/A

Checklist

Promos

Derek-Jeter.jpg?id=470dfc2b-39df-4eb5-9bde-95f091ddfc49&size=original&side=front&.jpg Derek-Jeter.jpg?id=470dfc2b-39df-4eb5-9bde-95f091ddfc49&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • PP1 Carlos Baerga
  • PP2 Jeff Bagwell
  • PP3 Marquis Grissom
  • PP4 Derek Jeter
  • PP5 Randy Johnson
  • PP6 Mike Piazza

Base Set

Series One

Randy-Johnson.jpg?id=bf88c8c4-1eff-4267-884d-814278de7f02&size=original&side=front&.jpg Randy-Johnson.jpg?id=bf88c8c4-1eff-4267-884d-814278de7f02&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 1 Tony Gwynn
  • 2 Larry Walker
  • 3 Billy Wagner
  • 4 Denny Neagle
  • 5 Vladimir Guerrero
  • 6 Kevin Brown
  • 8 Mariano Rivera
  • 9 Tony Clark
  • 10 Deion Sanders
  • 11 Francisco Cordova
  • 12 Matt Williams
  • 13 Carlos Baerga
  • 14 Mo Vaughn
  • 15 Bobby Witt
  • 16 Matt Stairs
  • 17 Chan Ho Park
  • 18 Mike Bordick
  • 19 Michael Tucker
  • 20 Frank Thomas
  • 21 Roberto Clemente
  • 22 Dmitri Young RCup
  • 23 Steve Trachsel
  • 24 Jeff Kent
  • 25 Scott Rolen RCup
  • 26 John Thomson
  • 27 Joe Vitiello
  • 28 Eddie Guardado
  • 29 Charlie Hayes
  • 30 Juan Gonzalez
  • 31 Garret Anderson
  • 32 John Jaha
  • 33 Omar Vizquel
  • 34 Brian L. Hunter
  • 35 Jeff Bagwell
  • 36 Mark Lemke
  • 37 Doug Glanville
  • 38 Dan Wilson
  • 39 Steve Cooke
  • 40 Chili Davis
  • 41 Mike Cameron
  • 42 F.P. Santangelo
  • 43 Brad Ausmus
  • 44 Gary DiSarcina
  • 45 Pat Hentgen
  • 46 Wilton Guerrero RCup
  • 47 Devon White
  • 48 Danny Patterson
  • 49 Pat Meares
  • 50 Rafael Palmeiro
  • 51 Mark Gardner
  • 52 Jeff Blauser
  • 53 Dave Hollins
  • 54 Carlos Garcia
  • 55 Ben McDonald
  • 56 John Mabry
  • 57 Trevor Hoffman
  • 58 Tony Fernandez
  • 59 Rich Loiselle RC
  • 60 Mark Leiter
  • 61 Pat Kelly
  • 62 John Flaherty
  • 63 Roger Bailey
  • 64 Tom Gordon
  • 65 Ryan Klesko
  • 66 Darryl Hamilton
  • 67 Jim Eisenreich
  • 68 Butch Huskey
  • 69 Mark Grudzielanek
  • 70 Marquis Grissom
  • 71 Mark McLemore
  • 72 Gary Gaetti
  • 73 Greg Gagne
  • 74 Lyle Mouton
  • 75 Jim Edmonds
  • 76 Shawn Green
  • 77 Greg Vaughn
  • 78 Terry Adams
  • 79 Kevin Polcovich
  • 80 Troy O'Leary
  • 81 Jeff Shaw
  • 82 Rich Becker
  • 83 David Wells
  • 84 Steve Karsay
  • 85 Charles Nagy
  • 86 B.J. Surhoff
  • 87 Jamey Wright
  • 88 James Baldwin
  • 89 Edgardo Alfonzo
  • 90 Jay Buhner
  • 91 Brady Anderson
  • 92 Scott Servais
  • 93 Edgar Renteria
  • 94 Mike Lieberthal
  • 95 Rick Aguilera
  • 96 Walt Weiss
  • 97 Deivi Cruz
  • 98 Kurt Abbott
  • 99 Henry Rodriguez
  • 100 Mike Piazza
  • 101 Billy Taylor
  • 102 Todd Zeile
  • 103 Rey Ordonez
  • 104 Willie Greene
  • 105 Tony Womack
  • 106 Mike Sweeney
  • 107 Jeffrey Hammonds
  • 108 Kevin Orie
  • 109 Alex Gonzalez
  • 110 Jose Canseco
  • 111 Paul Sorrento
  • 112 Joey Hamilton
  • 113 Brad Radke
  • 114 Steve Avery
  • 115 Esteban Loaiza
  • 116 Stan Javier
  • 117 Chris Gomez
  • 118 Royce Clayton
  • 119 Orlando Merced
  • 120 Kevin Appier
  • 121 Melvin Nieves
  • 122 Joe Girardi
  • 123 Rico Brogna
  • 124 Kent Mercker
  • 125 Manny Ramirez
  • 126 Jeromy Burnitz
  • 127 Kevin Foster
  • 128 Matt Morris
  • 129 Jason Dickson RCup
  • 130 Tom Glavine
  • 131 Wally Joyner
  • 132 Rick Reed
  • 133 Todd Jones
  • 134 Dave Martinez
  • 135 Sandy Alomar, Jr.
  • 136 Mike Lansing
  • 137 Sean Berry
  • 138 Doug Jones
  • 139 Todd Stottlemyre
  • 140 Jay Bell
  • 141 Jaime Navarro
  • 142 Chris Hoiles
  • 143 Joey Cora
  • 144 Scott Spiezio
  • 145 Joe Carter
  • 146 Jose Guillen RCup
  • 147 Damion Easley
  • 148 Lee Stevens
  • 149 Alex Fernandez
  • 150 Randy Johnson
  • 151 J.T. Snow
  • 152 Chuck Finley
  • 153 Bernard Gilkey
  • 154 David Segui
  • 155 Dante Bichette
  • 156 Kevin Stocker
  • 157 Carl Everett
  • 158 Jose Valentin
  • 159 Pokey Reese
  • 160 Derek Jeter
  • 161 Roger Pavlik
  • 162 Mark Wohlers
  • 163 Ricky Bottalico
  • 164 Ozzie Guillen
  • 165 Mike Mussina
  • 166 Gary Sheffield
  • 167 Hideo Nomo
  • 168 Mark Grace
  • 169 Aaron Sele
  • 170 Darryl Kile
  • 171 Shawn Estes
  • 172 Vinny Castilla
  • 173 Ron Coomer
  • 174 Jose Rosado
  • 175 Kenny Lofton
  • 176 Jason Giambi
  • 177 Hal Morris
  • 178 Darren Bragg
  • 179 Orel Hershiser
  • 180 Ray Lankford
  • 181 Hideki Irabu
  • 182 Kevin Young
  • 183 Javy Lopez
  • 184 Jeff Montgomery
  • 185 Mike Holtz RCup
  • 186 George Williams
  • 187 Cal Eldred
  • 188 Tom Candiotti
  • 189 Glenallen Hill
  • 190 Brian Giles
  • 191 Dave Mlicki
  • 192 Garrett Stephenson
  • 193 Jeff Frye
  • 194 Joe Oliver
  • 195 Bob Hamelin
  • 196 Luis Sojo
  • 197 LaTroy Hawkins
  • 198 Kevin Elster
  • 199 Jeff Reed
  • 200 Dennis Eckersley
  • 201 Bill Mueller
  • 202 Russ Davis
  • 203 Armando Benitez
  • 204 Quilvio Veras
  • 205 Tim Naehring
  • 206 Quinton McCracken
  • 207 Raul Casanova
  • 208 Matt Lawton
  • 209 Luis Alicea
  • 210 Luis Gonzalez
  • 211 Allen Watson
  • 212 Gerald Williams
  • 213 David Bell
  • 214 Todd Hollandsworth
  • 215 Wade Boggs
  • 216 Jose Mesa
  • 217 Jamie Moyer
  • 218 Darren Daulton
  • 219 Mickey Morandini
  • 220 Rusty Greer
  • 221 Jim Bullinger
  • 222 Jose Offerman
  • 223 Matt Karchner
  • 224 Woody Williams
  • 225 Mark Loretta
  • 226 Mike Hampton
  • 227 Willie Adams
  • 228 Scott Hatteberg RCup
  • 229 Rich Amaral
  • 230 Terry Steinbach
  • 231 Glendon Rusch
  • 232 Bret Boone
  • 233 Robert Person
  • 234 Jose Hernandez
  • 235 Doug Drabek
  • 236 Jason McDonald
  • 237 Chris Widger
  • 238 Tom Martin
  • 239 Dave Burba
  • 240 Pete Rose, Jr. RC
  • 241 Bobby Ayala
  • 242 Tim Wakefield
  • 243 Dennis Springer RC
  • 244 Tim Belcher

Draft Picks

Lance-Berkman-Glenn-Davis.jpg?id=49d04dfe-f5a3-4e67-900c-685cc0c2ca2a&size=original&side=front&.jpg Lance-Berkman-Glenn-Davis.jpg?id=49d04dfe-f5a3-4e67-900c-685cc0c2ca2a&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 245 Jon Garland / Geoff Goetz
  • 246 Lance Berkman / Glenn Davis
  • 247 Vernon Wells / Aaron Akin
  • 248 Adam Kennedy / Jason Romano
  • 249 Jason Dellaero / Troy Cameron

Prospects

Roy-Halladay-Brian-Fuentes-Matt-Clement.jpg?id=08644c62-0e5f-41de-854f-b1f58c7b5b55&size=original&side=front&.jpg Roy-Halladay-Brian-Fuentes-Matt-Clement.jpg?id=08644c62-0e5f-41de-854f-b1f58c7b5b55&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 250 Jared Sandberg / Alex Sanchez EXP
  • 251 Pablo Ortega / James Manias EXP
  • 252 Mike Stoner / Jason Conti EXP RC*
  • 253 John Patterson / Larry Rodriguez EXP
  • 254 Ryan Minor / Adrian Beltre / Aaron Boone PROS RC
  • 255 Ben Grieve / Dermal Brown / Brian Buchanan PROS
  • 256 Kerry Wood / Carl Pavano / Gil Meche PROS
  • 257 David Ortiz / Richie Sexson / Daryle Ward PROS
  • 258 Juan Encarnacion / Randy Winn / Andrew Vessel PROS
  • 259 Travis Smith / Kris Benson / Courtney Duncan PROS RC
  • 260 Chad Hermansen / Brent Butler / Warren Morris PROS RC
  • 261 Ben Davis / Eli Marrero / Ramon Hernandez PROS
  • 262 Russ Johnson / Russell Branyan / Eric Chavez PROS
  • 263 Ryan Jackson / Todd Dunwoody / John Barnes PROS RC
  • 264 Brian Fuentes / Matt Clement / Roy Halladay PROS RC

'97 Season Highlights

97-Season-Highlights---Ricardo-Rincon-Francisco-Cordova.jpg?id=15f02210-c359-4822-859a-b5603eb27cc2&size=original&side=front&.jpg 97-Season-Highlights---Ricardo-Rincon-Francisco-Cordova.jpg?id=15f02210-c359-4822-859a-b5603eb27cc2&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 265 Randy Johnson
  • 266 Kevin Brown
  • 267 Ricardo Rincon / Francisco Cordova
  • 268 Nomar Garciaparra
  • 269 Tino Martinez

Interleague Play

Interleague-Play---Pedro-Martinez.jpg?id=8d2a95a0-22bd-42cf-8a2f-29fe047cc75f&size=original&side=front&.jpg Interleague-Play---Pedro-Martinez.jpg?id=8d2a95a0-22bd-42cf-8a2f-29fe047cc75f&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 270 Chuck Knoblauch
  • 271 Pedro Martinez
  • 272 Denny Neagle
  • 273 Juan Gonzalez
  • 274 Andres Galarraga

Checklists

Checklist.jpg?id=2767dcca-761a-45ec-aab4-a49c2389b083&size=original&side=front&.jpg Checklist.jpg?id=2767dcca-761a-45ec-aab4-a49c2389b083&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 275 Checklist 1-195
  • 276 Checklist 196-283 / Inserts

World Series

Sandy-Alomar-Jr.jpg?id=92c597f2-cee7-44d9-806d-b26041657925&size=original&side=front&.jpg Sandy-Alomar-Jr.jpg?id=92c597f2-cee7-44d9-806d-b26041657925&size=original&side=back&.jpg

NOTE: This subset is printed on foilboard, but is NOT short-printed.

  • 277 Moises Alou
  • 278 Sandy Alomar, Jr.
  • 279 Gary Sheffield
  • 280 Matt Williams
  • 281 Livan Hernandez
  • 282 Chad Ogea
  • 283 Florida Marlins

Series Two

Ivan-Rodriguez.jpg?id=52877865-4258-4e4b-9712-33f3e348b012&size=original&side=front&.jpg Ivan-Rodriguez.jpg?id=52877865-4258-4e4b-9712-33f3e348b012&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 284 Tino Martinez
  • 285 Roberto Alomar
  • 286 Jeff King
  • 287 Brian Jordan
  • 288 Darin Erstad
  • 289 Ken Caminiti
  • 290 Jim Thome
  • 291 Paul Molitor
  • 292 Ivan Rodriguez
  • 293 Bernie Williams
  • 294 Todd Hundley
  • 295 Andres Galarraga
  • 296 Greg Maddux
  • 297 Edgar Martinez
  • 298 Ron Gant
  • 299 Derek Bell
  • 300 Roger Clemens
  • 301 Rondell White
  • 302 Barry Larkin
  • 303 Robin Ventura
  • 304 Jason Kendall
  • 305 Chipper Jones
  • 306 John Franco
  • 307 Sammy Sosa
  • 308 Troy Percival
  • 309 Chuck Knoblauch
  • 310 Ellis Burks
  • 311 Al Martin
  • 312 Tim Salmon
  • 313 Moises Alou
  • 314 Lance Johnson
  • 315 Justin Thompson
  • 316 Will Clark
  • 317 Barry Bonds
  • 318 Craig Biggio
  • 319 John Smoltz
  • 320 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • 321 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 322 Paul O'Neill
  • 323 Todd Helton
  • 324 John Olerud
  • 325 Mark McGwire
  • 326 Jose Cruz, Jr.
  • 327 Jeff Cirillo
  • 328 Dean Palmer
  • 329 John Wetteland
  • 330 Steve Finley
  • 331 Albert Belle
  • 332 Curt Schilling
  • 333 Raul Mondesi
  • 334 Andruw Jones RCup
  • 335 Nomar Garciaparra RCup
  • 336 David Justice
  • 337 Andy Pettitte
  • 338 Pedro Martinez
  • 339 Travis Miller
  • 340 Chris Stynes
  • 341 Gregg Jefferies
  • 342 Jeff Fassero
  • 343 Craig Counsell
  • 344 Wilson Alvarez
  • 345 Bip Roberts
  • 346 Kelvim Escobar
  • 347 Mark Bellhorn
  • 348 Cory Lidle RC
  • 349 Fred McGriff
  • 350 Chuck Carr
  • 351 Bobby Abreu
  • 352 Juan Guzman
  • 353 Fernando Vina
  • 354 Andy Benes
  • 355 Dave Nilsson
  • 356 Bobby Bonilla
  • 357 Ismael Valdes
  • 358 Carlos Perez
  • 359 Kirk Rueter
  • 360 Bartolo Colon
  • 361 Mel Rojas
  • 362 Johnny Damon
  • 363 Geronimo Berroa
  • 364 Reggie Sanders
  • 365 Jermaine Allensworth
  • 366 Orlando Cabrera
  • 367 Jorge Fabregas
  • 368 Scott Stahoviak
  • 369 Ken Cloude
  • 370 Donovan Osborne
  • 371 Roger Cedeno
  • 372 Neifi Perez
  • 373 Chris Holt
  • 374 Cecil Fielder
  • 375 Marty Cordova
  • 376 Tom Goodwin
  • 377 Jeff Suppan
  • 378 Jeff Brantley
  • 379 Mark Langston
  • 380 Shane Reynolds
  • 381 Mike Fetters
  • 382 Todd Greene
  • 383 Ray Durham
  • 384 Carlos Delgado
  • 385 Jeff D'Amico
  • 386 Brian McRae
  • 387 Alan Benes
  • 388 Heathcliff Slocumb
  • 389 Eric Young
  • 390 Travis Fryman
  • 391 David Cone
  • 392 Otis Nixon
  • 393 Jeremi Gonzalez
  • 394 Jeff Juden
  • 395 Jose Vizcaino
  • 396 Ugueth Urbina
  • 397 Ramon Martinez
  • 398 Robb Nen
  • 399 Harold Baines
  • 400 Delino DeShields
  • 401 John Burkett
  • 402 Sterling Hitchcock
  • 403 Mark Clark
  • 404 Terrell Wade
  • 405 Scott Brosius
  • 406 Chad Curtis
  • 407 Brian Johnson
  • 408 Roberto Kelly
  • 409 David Dellucci RC
  • 410 Michael Tucker
  • 411 Mark Kotsay
  • 412 Mark Lewis
  • 413 Ryan McGuire
  • 414 Shawon Dunston
  • 415 Brad Rigby
  • 416 Scott Erickson
  • 417 Bobby Jones
  • 418 Darren Oliver
  • 419 John Smiley
  • 420 T.J. Mathews
  • 421 Dustin Hermanson
  • 422 Mike Timlin
  • 423 Willie Blair
  • 424 Manny Alexander
  • 425 Bob Tewksbury
  • 426 Pete Schourek
  • 427 Reggie Jefferson
  • 428 Ed Sprague
  • 429 Jeff Conine
  • 430 Roberto Hernandez
  • 431 Tom Pagnozzi
  • 432 Jaret Wright
  • 433 Livan Hernandez
  • 434 Andy Ashby
  • 435 Todd Dunn
  • 436 Bobby Higginson
  • 437 Rod Beck
  • 438 Jim Leyritz
  • 439 Matt Williams
  • 440 Brett Tomko
  • 441 Joe Randa
  • 442 Chris Carpenter
  • 443 Dennis Reyes
  • 444 Al Leiter
  • 445 Jason Schmidt
  • 446 Ken Hill
  • 447 Shannon Stewart
  • 448 Enrique Wilson
  • 449 Fernando Tatis
  • 450 Jimmy Key
  • 451 Darrin Fletcher
  • 452 John Valentin
  • 453 Kevin Tapani
  • 454 Eric Karros
  • 455 Jay Bell
  • 456 Walt Weiss
  • 457 Devon White
  • 458 Carl Pavano
  • 459 Mike Lansing
  • 460 John Flaherty
  • 461 Richard Hidalgo
  • 462 Quinton McCracken
  • 463 Karim Garcia
  • 464 Miguel Cairo
  • 465 Edwin Diaz
  • 466 Bobby Smith
  • 467 Yamil Benitez
  • 468 Rich Butler RC
  • 469 Ben Ford RC
  • 470 Bubba Trammell
  • 471 Brent Brede
  • 472 Brooks Kieschnick
  • 473 Carlos Castillo

'97 Season Highlights

Roger-Clemens.jpg?id=7cda8b59-bffc-41dc-b3fd-31800b4cf363&size=original&side=front&.jpg Roger-Clemens.jpg?id=7cda8b59-bffc-41dc-b3fd-31800b4cf363&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 474 Brad Radke
  • 475 Roger Clemens
  • 476 Curt Schilling
  • 477 John Olerud
  • 478 Mark McGwire

Interleague Preview

Interleague-Preview---Mike-Piazza-Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=04d631f5-309b-4c0c-bced-1ce5c41a4e79&size=original&side=front&.jpg Interleague-Preview---Mike-Piazza-Ken-Griffey-Jr.jpg?id=04d631f5-309b-4c0c-bced-1ce5c41a4e79&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 479 Mike Piazza / Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • 480 Jeff Bagwell / Frank Thomas
  • 481 Chipper Jones / Nomar Garciaparra
  • 482 Larry Walker / Juan Gonzalez
  • 483 Gary Sheffield / Tino Martinez

Prospects

Aramis-Ramirez-Alex-Gonzalez-Sean-Casey.jpg?id=ea846ffc-1e9a-4fd1-aa46-6d8e906e7a14&size=original&side=front&.jpg Aramis-Ramirez-Alex-Gonzalez-Sean-Casey.jpg?id=ea846ffc-1e9a-4fd1-aa46-6d8e906e7a14&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 484 Derrick Gibson / Michael Coleman / Norm Hutchins PROS
  • 485 Brian Rose / Braden Looper / Cliff Politte PROS
  • 486 Eric Milton / Jason Marquis / Corey Lee PROS
  • 487 Robert Fick / Mark Osborne / A.J. Hinch PROS RC
  • 488 Aramis Ramirez / Alex Gonzalez / Sean Casey PROS

Draft Picks

Troy-Glaus-JJ-Davis.jpg?id=468edc5e-85e0-47e5-bbca-df0b8a51781a&size=original&side=front&.jpg Troy-Glaus-JJ-Davis.jpg?id=468edc5e-85e0-47e5-bbca-df0b8a51781a&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 489 Tim Drew / Donnie Bridges DP RC
  • 490 Darnell McDonald / Ntema Ndungidi DP RC
  • 491 Ryan Anderson / Mark Mangum DP RC*
  • 492 J.J. Davis / Troy Glaus DP RC
  • 493 Jayson Werth / Dan Reichert DP RC
  • 494 John Curtice / Michael Cuddyer DP RC
  • 495 Jack Cust / Jason Standridge DP RC

Expansion Draft

Tony-Saunders.jpg?id=88f9c054-b982-49e2-afd2-43fc42e52d92&size=original&side=front&.jpg Tony-Saunders.jpg?id=88f9c054-b982-49e2-afd2-43fc42e52d92&size=original&side=back&.jpg

These two cards feature the first two picks in the 1997 Expansion Draft.

  • 496 Brian Anderson
  • 497 Tony Saunders

Expansion Team Prospects

Brad-Penny-Nick-Bierbrodt.jpg?id=2ffe4299-e242-481b-8aea-a1e663d69588&size=original&side=front&.jpg Brad-Penny-Nick-Bierbrodt.jpg?id=2ffe4299-e242-481b-8aea-a1e663d69588&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 498 Jhensy Sandoval / Vladimir Nunez EXP
  • 499 Brad Penny / Nick Bierbrodt EXP
  • 500 Dustin Carr / Luis Cruz EXP RC*
  • 501 Cedrick Bowers / Marcus McCain EXP

Checklists

Checklist.jpg?id=c453298b-0082-483b-b80e-0476d7d630a9&size=original&side=front&.jpg Checklist.jpg?id=c453298b-0082-483b-b80e-0476d7d630a9&size=original&side=back&.jpg

  • 502 Checklist 284-442
  • 503 Checklist 443-504 / Inserts

Alex Rodriguez

Alex-Rodriguez.jpg?id=abed44b8-3bee-4324-8cfc-eaacef70e642&size=original&side=front&.jpg Alex-Rodriguez.jpg?id=abed44b8-3bee-4324-8cfc-eaacef70e642&size=original&side=back&.jpg

In 1998, Topps finally came to terms with Alex Rodriguez, allowing them to produce A-Rod's first Topps card -- five years into his career. For more information on why A-Rod was excluded from Topps products in the early part of his career, please see out 1993 Topps Traded article.

  • 504 Alex Rodriguez

Parallels

Minted in Cooperstown

Darryl-Kile.jpg?id=e35f5525-ed5b-49c1-9ea8-2a5d3f752341&size=original&side=front&.jpg Darryl-Kile.jpg?id=e35f5525-ed5b-49c1-9ea8-2a5d3f752341&size=original&side=back&.jpg

Minted in Cooperstown is a parallel of the entire 503-card base set. The set is distinguished by the special bronze "Minted in Cooperstown" logo stamped on each card. Each card in this set was printed at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY through the use of a portable printing press.

Inaugural Factory Sets

Charlie-Hayes.jpg?id=93d1fa2c-2d42-4f46-bb0e-834f7ca22793&size=original&side=front&.jpg Jim-Edmonds.jpg?id=cfd46c52-fc5b-4d97-a859-df7938e52f46&size=original&side=front&.jpg

Just as for the teams which began play in 1993, two special commemorative factory sets for the first-year Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks were issued. Each card is foil-stamped with a special D'Rays/D'Backs logo.

The sets were sold only through retail outlets in the greater Phoenix and Tampa Bay areas. The Devil Rays sets apparently did not sell well enough at the stadium and were later closed out to one of the home shopping networks.

5000 of each set were made with each set serial-numbered -- although the cards were not.

Inserts

Roberto Clemente Reprints

Roberto-Clemente-(1970-Topps).jpg?id=c30fe85d-3ba0-4170-b787-5d2338928957&size=original&side=front&.jpg Roberto-Clemente-(1970-Topps).jpg?id=c30fe85d-3ba0-4170-b787-5d2338928957&size=original&side=back&.jpg Roberto-Clemente-(1972-Topps).jpg?id=52d5dc82-2c65-4f7b-ba99-d44bf5b73768&size=original&side=front&.jpg Roberto-Clemente-(1972-Topps).jpg?id=52d5dc82-2c65-4f7b-ba99-d44bf5b73768&size=original&side=back&.jpg

Similar to the Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays cards in 1996 and 1997, Topps commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Death of Roberto Clemente by reprinting all 19 of his Topps cards. Unlike the Mantle and Mays reprints, Series One and Series Two cards contained a mix of BOTH regular, Finest, and Finest Refractor cards. The ten odd-numbered cards can be found in Series One, while the nine even-numbered cards can be found in Series Two.

  • 1 Roberto Clemente 1955
  • 2 Roberto Clemente 1956
  • 3 Roberto Clemente 1957
  • 4 Roberto Clemente 1958
  • 5 Roberto Clemente 1959
  • 6 Roberto Clemente 1960
  • 7 Roberto Clemente 1961
  • 8 Roberto Clemente 1962
  • 9 Roberto Clemente 1963
  • 10 Roberto Clemente 1964
  • 11 Roberto Clemente 1965
  • 12 Roberto Clemente 1966
  • 13 Roberto Clemente 1967
  • 14 Roberto Clemente 1968
  • 15 Roberto Clemente 1969
  • 16 Roberto Clemente 1970
  • 17 Roberto Clemente 1971
  • 18 Roberto Clemente 1972
  • 19 Roberto Clemente 1973

Hermetically-Sealed Reprints

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Each 1998 Topps hobby factory set contained one of 19 different "hermetically sealed" Roberto Clemente reprint cards. The actual cards are identical to standard Clemente reprints available in 1998 Topps packs. The difference in these special cards is the clear plastic seal entirely encasing the card. Each seal is stamped with a gold foil logo on the card back stating "Factory Topps Seal 1998."

Hermetically-sealed cards were also available in special made-for-retail tin boxes.

Clemente Tribute

Roberto-Clemente.jpg?id=1c8fb207-8d4f-43d5-8360-71056dcc9810&size=original&side=front&.jpg Roberto-Clemente.jpg?id=1c8fb207-8d4f-43d5-8360-71056dcc9810&size=original&side=back&.jpg

This five-card set, exclusive to Series One packs, honors the memory of Roberto Clemente on the 25th anniversary of his untimely death.

  • RC1 Roberto Clemente
  • RC2 Roberto Clemente
  • RC3 Roberto Clemente
  • RC4 Roberto Clemente
  • RC5 Roberto Clemente

Etch-A-Sketch

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This nine-card set features drawings by artist George Vlosich III using an Etch A Sketch as a canvas.

  • ES1 Albert Belle
  • ES2 Barry Bonds
  • ES3 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • ES4 Greg Maddux
  • ES5 Hideo Nomo
  • ES6 Mike Piazza
  • ES7 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • ES8 Frank Thomas
  • ES9 Mo Vaughn

Mystery Finest

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This 20-card, Series One, set showcases five of the 1997 season's most intriguing inter-league matchups on Finest-style chromium cards. The fronts of each card have an opaque covering that must be peeled off to reveal the player. The backs have one of four players that might be on the front.

Each card is also available in a Refractor parallel.

  • ILM1 Chipper Jones
  • ILM2 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • ILM3 Greg Maddux
  • ILM4 Rafael Palmeiro
  • ILM5 Todd Hundley
  • ILM6 Derek Jeter
  • ILM7 John Olerud
  • ILM8 Tino Martinez
  • ILM9 Larry Walker
  • ILM10 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • ILM11 Andres Galarraga
  • ILM12 Randy Johnson
  • ILM13 Mike Piazza
  • ILM14 Jim Edmonds
  • ILM15 Eric Karros
  • ILM16 Tim Salmon
  • ILM17 Sammy Sosa
  • ILM18 Frank Thomas
  • ILM19 Mark Grace
  • ILM20 Albert Belle

Flashback

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This ten-card, Series One, set features a present-day photo of the player on the front, and a picture from his rookie year on the back. Both sides of the card are printed on etched foil.

  • FB1 Barry Bonds
  • FB2 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • FB3 Paul Molitor
  • FB4 Randy Johnson
  • FB5 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • FB6 Tony Gwynn
  • FB7 Kenny Lofton
  • FB8 Gary Sheffield
  • FB9 Deion Sanders
  • FB10 Brady Anderson

Hall Bound

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This die-cut set is exclusive to Series One Hobby and HTA Jumbo packs and features active players who were, in Topps' 1998 opinion, shoo-ins for the Hall of Fame. Strangely, Rickey Henderson has a Hall Bound insert card, but not a base card.

  • HB1 Paul Molitor
  • HB2 Tony Gwynn
  • HB3 Wade Boggs
  • HB4 Roger Clemens
  • HB5 Dennis Eckersley
  • HB6 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • HB7 Greg Maddux
  • HB8 Rickey Henderson
  • HB9 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • HB10 Frank Thomas
  • HB11 Mark McGwire
  • HB12 Barry Bonds
  • HB13 Mike Piazza
  • HB14 Juan Gonzalez
  • HB15 Randy Johnson

Baby Boomers

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This set is exclusive to Series One retail packs.

  • BB1 Derek Jeter
  • BB2 Scott Rolen
  • BB3 Nomar Garciaparra
  • BB4 Jose Cruz, Jr.
  • BB5 Darin Erstad
  • BB6 Todd Helton
  • BB7 Tony Clark
  • BB8 Jose Guillen
  • BB9 Andruw Jones
  • BB10 Vladimir Guerrero
  • BB11 Mark Kotsay
  • BB12 Todd Greene
  • BB13 Andy Pettitte
  • BB14 Justin Thompson
  • BB15 Alan Benes

Rookie Class

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  • R1 Travis Lee
  • R2 Richard Hidalgo
  • R3 Todd Helton
  • R4 Paul Konerko
  • R5 Mark Kotsay
  • R6 Derrek Lee
  • R7 Eli Marrero
  • R8 Fernando Tatis
  • R9 Juan Encarnacion
  • R10 Ben Grieve

Mystery Finest Bordered

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This 20-card all-chromium stock set is exclusive to Series Two packs and is available in the following versions.

  • Bordered
  • Bordered Refractor
  • Borderless
  • Borderless Refractor

Unlike the Series One Mystery Finest cards, the back of the card clearly states which player will be on the front. The collector is required to peel off the opaque film that covers the front of the card to determine which version of the card they have received.

  • M1 Nomar Garciaparra
  • M2 Chipper Jones
  • M3 Scott Rolen
  • M4 Albert Belle
  • M5 Mo Vaughn
  • M6 Jose Cruz, Jr.
  • M7 Mark McGwire
  • M8 Derek Jeter
  • M9 Tony Gwynn
  • M10 Frank Thomas
  • M11 Tino Martinez
  • M12 Greg Maddux
  • M13 Juan Gonzalez
  • M14 Larry Walker
  • M15 Mike Piazza
  • M16 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • M17 Jeff Bagwell
  • M18 Andruw Jones
  • M19 Barry Bonds
  • M20 Ken Griffey, Jr.

Clout Nine

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  • C1 Edgar Martinez
  • C2 Mike Piazza
  • C3 Frank Thomas
  • C4 Craig Biggio
  • C5 Vinny Castilla
  • C6 Jeff Blauser
  • C7 Barry Bonds
  • C8 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • C9 Larry Walker

Focal Point

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These cards are exclusive to Series Two Hobby and HTA packs.

  • FP1 Juan Gonzalez
  • FP2 Nomar Garciaparra
  • FP3 Jose Cruz, Jr.
  • FP4 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • FP5 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • FP6 Ivan Rodriguez
  • FP7 Larry Walker
  • FP8 Barry Bonds
  • FP9 Roger Clemens
  • FP10 Frank Thomas
  • FP11 Chuck Knoblauch
  • FP12 Mike Piazza
  • FP13 Greg Maddux
  • FP14 Vladimir Guerrero
  • FP15 Andruw Jones

Milestone

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These cards are exclusive to Series Two retail packs.

  • MS1 Barry Bonds
  • MS2 Roger Clemens
  • MS3 Dennis Eckersley
  • MS4 Juan Gonzalez
  • MS5 Ken Griffey, Jr.
  • MS6 Tony Gwynn
  • MS7 Greg Maddux
  • MS8 Mark McGwire
  • MS9 Cal Ripken, Jr.
  • MS10 Frank Thomas

Autographs & Game-Used

Roberto Clemente Memorabilia Madness

Topps created 46 different Roberto Clemente exchange cards for a total of 854 prizes. All 46 prizes (including the quantity available of each prize) is detailed explicitly in the listings below. The quantity is noted immediately after the prize. All 854 exchange cards looked identical to each other on front and almost identical to each other on back. Card fronts feature a blue, purple and white dot matrix head shot of Clemente surrounded by burgundy borders. Card backs featured extensive guidelines and rules for the exchange program. The only difference for each card were the few sentences on back detailing which specific prize each of the 46 different cards could be exchanged for. Lucky collectors that got their hands on these scarce exchange cards had until August 31st, 1998 to redeem their prizes.

  • 1 1955 Topps Card 3
  • 2 1956 Topps Card 8
  • 3 1956 Autographed Topps Card 1
  • 4 1957 Topps Card 6
  • 5 1958 Topps Card 6
  • 6 1959 Game-Used Jersey 1
  • 7 1959 Topps Card 8
  • 8 1960 Autographed NL AS Ball 1
  • 9 1960 Autographed Pirates Team Ball 1
  • 10 1960 Topps Card 8
  • 11 1960 Autographed Topps Card 1
  • 12 1961 Topps Card 10
  • 13 1961 Autographed Topps Card 1
  • 14 1962 Topps Card 8
  • 15 1962 Autographed Topps Card 1
  • 16 1963 Topps Card 5
  • 17 1963 Autographed Topps Card 1
  • 18 1964 Topps Card 8
  • 19 1965 Topps Card 10
  • 20 1965 Autographed Topps Card 1
  • 21 1966 Topps Card 10
  • 22 1967 Topps Card 20
  • 23 1967 Autographed Topps Card 1
  • 24 1968 Topps Card 20
  • 25 1968 Autographed Topps Card 1
  • 26 1969 Topps Card 20
  • 27 1969 Autographed Topps Card 1
  • 28 1970 Topps Card 20
  • 29 1970 Autographed Topps Super Card 1
  • 30 1971 Autographed Pirates Team Ball 1
  • 31 1971 Topps Card 20
  • 32 1972 Topps Card 20
  • 33 1973 Topps Card 20
  • 34 1998T Uncut Minted in Cooperstown Sheet 500
  • 35 Canceled Check 4
  • 36 Game Used Bat 1
  • 37 Game Used Bat 1
  • 38 Game Used Bat 1
  • 39 Game Used Bat 1
  • 40 Autographed HOFer Ball 1
  • 41 Signed 4" X 5" B/W Photo 1
  • 42 Signed Poster 1
  • 43 CUT AU w/Framed Photo 1
  • 44 Single-Signed Ball 1
  • 45 43" X 60" Card 1
  • 46 JSY Relic Card 99
  • NNO Wild Card