And, banking on last year’s success, the 2003 version has all the ingredients for another successful run. In fact, many collectors believe that this has now become Topps signature baseball product.
This year’s rookie, or first-year player as Topps refers to them, class boats such top prospects as Xavier Paul, Lou Palmisano, J.J. Hardy, John Maine, Aaron Hill, Jamie D’Antona and Robert Valido, just to name a few.
Who will be this years Dontrelle Willis, Jeff Franceour or Cole Hamels?
In addition, there are refractor, x-fractor and gold refractor parallels. Unlike last year, however; the refractor versions are not serial-numbered, though the x-fractor parallels are serial-numbered to 130 and the gold refractors to just 50.
If you are an autograph buff, this product boasts base chrome rookie autographs of Delmon Young, Rickie Weeks, Ryan Harvey and Ryan Wagner, as well as 4 others. There are also refractor, x-fractor and gold refractor parallels.
There are a host of inserts to speak about, as well, including game-used relics and autographs of non-rookie prospects such as Zack Greinke.
And, just like last year there is also a parallel Bowman and Bowman Gold Signature version, with the Gold Signature printed on thick stock and inserted at a 1 per pack clip.
If you like rookie cards, this product is the best of the bunch. Each pack contains 7 cards – 2 chrome, 4 regular Bowman and 1 Gold Signature parallel. Every box is advertised to contain at least 1 relic and 1 autograph, as well as 4 refractors. Serial-numbered x-fractors are randomly inserted at a 1:3 box, and gold refractors have been averaging 1:5 boxes.
Unopened 24-ct. hobby boxes have been selling for $65, while 20 ct. retail boxes are available for $2.99 per pack at your local Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target stores.
