1997 was an eventful year in Major League baseball. Commissioner Bud Selig made the decision to retire the number 42 league wide in honor of Jackie Robinson and his contribution to baseball during the Civil Rights Movement. Ken Griffey Jr. slammed 56 HR’s on his way to the AL MVP award. And the Florida Marlins (now the Miami Marlins) won their 1st World Series in a thrilling 7 game series over the then Cleveland Indians.
Aside from Nomar Garciaparra and Vladimir Guerrero, it was not a strong rookie class. The most valuable baseball cards from 1997 belong to the likes of more established stars such as Derek Jeter, Frank Thomas, and Ken Griffey Jr. Though the baseball cards from 1997 come nowhere close to the vintage cards (T206 Honus Wagner) or modern cards (Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractor) that have sold for Millions, one card on the list did reach 5 figures.
Frequent Flyers and Reference Guide
This list has some “frequent flyers”. We will give a quick rundown of the inserts/parallels that are likely to be repeated throughout the list.
Topps Finest Embossed Gold Die-Cut Refractor
Nearly every card on the list is the Topps Finest Embossed Gold Die-Cut Refractor. It is the most valuable insert from this otherwise ho-hum 1997 Topps set. The card is obviously embossed and die-cut with a gold background and big bold letters at the top (POWER for the hitters and HURLERS for the pitchers). The refractor is also unique in that it features perforated edges.
Topps Chrome Refractor
One of Topps flagship products throughout the years, the most expensive 1997 Topps baseball card is a Ken Griffey Jr. Topps Chrome graded PSA 10. This is more of a classic card than the Topps Finest Refractor. Classic Topps Chrome logo in the top left corner. Name in gold foil on the bottom. Straight edges. Shiny multi-colored refractor around the border.
1. 1997 Topps Chrome Refractor Ken Griffey Jr. PSA 10
Price: $10,100
The Most Expensive 1997 Topps Baseball card belongs to the man who took home AL MVP honors and recorded 56 dingers, Ken Griffey Jr. The card in question features a classic photo of the sweet swinging lefty, watching one of those 56 homers leave the yard. It is truly a great photo.
While the 1997 Topps set was pretty uneventful, this Topps Chrome refractor has a little more shimmer and shine than the base card. The card was graded PSA 10 GEM MINT condition and sold in a private sale on Ebay. At $10,100, it is by far the most valuable 1997 Topps baseball card.
2. 1997 Topps Finest Embossed Gold Die-Cut Refractor Derek Jeter PSA 10
Price: $5655
Derek Jeter baseball cards are among the most valuable from this era. Any set from the mid to late 90’s is going to see Jeter somewhere near the top of the list in terms of popularity and value.
While most of the Topps Finest Embossed Refractors featuring hitters say POWER in bold letters across the top, Jeter’s card says MASTERS across the top. The embossed image shows the Hall of Fame shortstop making a throw to first base and a 2nd picture of him smiling in the background.
This Jeter card sold for over $5000 in a private sale on Ebay. It is in flawless condition, earning a grade of PSA 10 from Professional Sports Authenticator.
3 1997 Topps Derek Jeter Rookie of the Year Autograph PSA 10
Price: $3600
While most cards on the list are of the Topps Finest Embossed Gold Refractor, this card is a different insert. The card says “Rookie of the Year” in bold lettering across the top and features an autograph from Jeter. The card is in pristine condition with a grade of PSA 10.
Jeter was drafted in 1992, debuted in 1995, then in 1996 took home AL Rookie of the Year honors. Jeter also helped the New York Yankees win the World Series over the Atlanta Braves. This card honors Jeter’s Rookie of the Year status the previous year and features Jeter’s autograph.
While most of the cards on the list were purchased on Ebay (common for cards in this price range), this Jeter card was won with a bid of $3600 at Heritage Auctions.
4. 1997 Topps Finest Ken Griffey Jr. Embossed Rare Gold BGS 9.5
Price: $3350
Griffey and Jeter are two of the most popular baseball players in the modern era and they have dominated the list of most valuable cards in this Topps baseball set. Griffey’s version of the Topps Finest Gold Refractor shows the Seattle Mariners star just after making contact on a swing. Like the other hitters, his card says POWER in bold letters across the top.
5. 1997 Topps Finest Gold Refractor Derek Jeter PSA 8
Price: $2550
Another version of the same card and the same player. This Jeter card clearly has the highest demand among cards in this set. This card is not necessarily in poor condition but is a lower grade than the card that sold for $5600 (PSA 8)
6. 1997 Topps Finest Embossed Gold Die-Cut Refractor Frank Thomas PSA 10
Price: $1213
Frank Thomas’ version of the Topps Finest Gold Refractor shows “The Big Hurt” mid-swing, leaning on his back foot. The larger-than-life fan favorite has many valuable cards from this era (relatively). The Most Valuable Frank Thomas rookie card is a 1990 Topps error card where Thomas’ name was left off the front of the card in a printing error. That card in highly graded condition can be worth north of $20,000.
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7. 1997 Topps Finest Embossed Gold Die-Cut Refractor Cal Ripken Jr. PSA 10
Price: $1088
Ripken Jr.’s card from this set has the same layout as Jeter’s featuring both an action shot and a headshot along with the word MASTERS in bold lettering across the top. 1997 was a big year for Ripken and the Baltimore Orioles. “The Iron Man” of course did not miss a game in spite of suffering from nerve damage all season.
The ultimate team player, Ripken agreed to move to 3rd base to make room for Shortstop Mike Bordick. The following season (1998), Ripken would voluntarily end his streak of playing 2632 consecutive games by sitting out the final game of the regular season.
8. 1997 Topps Finest Embossed Gold Die-Cut Refractor Chipper Jones PSA 10
Price: $1035
The 1997 Topps Finest Gold Refractor shares the same layout of the other great infielders on this list (Ripken and Jeter). Jones’ action shot shows Jones taking a cut from the left side of the plate. The headshot depicts a smiling Jones in the background on the right.
In 1997 Jones still had his best years ahead of him. He would go on to win the NL MVP award two years later and eventually appear in 8 All Star games. This particular card sold for just over $1000 in a private sale on Ebay.
9. 1997 Topps Chrome Refractor Barry Bonds PSA 10
Price: $961
Any guesses what word is written atop Bonds’ card in bold lettering? You guessed it, POWER. The picture of Bonds here is perhaps the greatest from this entire set. You only see the back of his jersey with the name Bonds over his number 25.
The image gives every indication that Bonds is watching a ball fly into McCovey Cove, bat suspended in the air after being dropped by the all-time great.
10. 1997 Topps Finest Greg Maddux Embossed Gold Die-Cut Refractor
Price: $800
One of only two pitchers on the list, Maddux was the premier pitcher in 1997. While he finished second in the NL Cy Young race to Pedro Martinez, Maddux became the highest paid player in Baseball, signing a $57.5 Million extension.
The image and style of this card could not be more different than Maddux himself. The normally understated star pitcher appears throwing a pitch on this shimmery shiny Gold Refractor. It has a lot of sparkle and shine while Maddux was all substance and no style.
11. 1997 Topps Finest Embossed Gold Die-Cut Refractor Tony Gwynn PSA 10
Price: $739
Tony Gwynn somehow might be one of the most underrated players of all time. Gwynn batted a career .338, won 8 NL batting titles, and played his entire career (20 seasons) with the San Diego Padres. In 1997, Gwynn batted .372 and was batting over .400 well into July. He recorded a career high 17 Home Runs and 119 RBI that season.
The Gwynn Gold Refractor insert from the 1997 set shows Gwynn taking off down the first base line and has the word WARRIORS across the top in blue bold lettering. The word aptly describes the late Padres great.
12. 1997 Topps Finest Embossed Rare Refractor Sammy Sosa
Price: $480
The 1997 season was a little more uneventful for Sosa than the following 1998 season. In 1998, one of the greatest baseball seasons ever, Sosa was locked in an epic HR race with Mark McGwire. Both sluggers were chasing Roger Maris’ long time single season HR record (61). While both players would eventually pass Maris, Sosa finished with 66 and McGwire 70.
The Sosa version of the card shows the Cubs slugger at the end of a swing. You can see the slugger’s power and ironically the word POWER is written across the top.
13. 1997 Topps Finest Randy Johnson Embossed Gold Die-Cut Refractor
Price: $404
The 1997 MLB season was one of Johnson’s best. “The Big Unit” finished the season 20-4 with 291 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA. Johnson finished 2nd in the AL Cy Young race to Roger Clemens.
Johnson’s card is of the MASTER’s variety, similar to Ripken and Jeter. Contrary to the other two fan favorites, Johnson is not smiling in his head shot. True to form for the intimidating hurler.
1997 MLB Season Highlights
- Eddie Murray recorded his 3,000th hit on May 13 in a win over the Chicago White Sox. In doing so, he joined Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Pete Rose, Karl Yastrzemski, and Stan Musial in the 3,000 hit club.
- The first interleague game was played between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants
- Yankees retire jersey number 23 in honor of Don Mattingly.
- Mike Piazza has one of the most prolific seasons for any catcher in MLB history, hitting .362 and pounding 40 homers for the New York Mets
- Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio lead the Houston Astros to an NL Central title and one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.
