1998 Topps - Revision history

Chris: /* Distribution */

2026-05-11T16:36:11Z

Distribution

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:36, 11 May 2026
Line 30:		Line 30:
	Factory sets:		Factory sets:

	Hobby: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 ~~and 8~~ random inserts)		Hobby: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504, eight random inserts and one hermetically sealed Roberto Clemente reprint card)

	Hobby Inaugural Limited Edition set: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 ~~and 8~~ random inserts)		Hobby Inaugural Limited Edition set: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504, eight random inserts and one hermetically sealed Roberto Clemente reprint card)

	Retail: (silver box) contained cards 510 cards (base cards 1-503 and 8 random inserts)		Retail: (silver box) contained cards 510 cards (base cards 1-503 and 8 random inserts)

Chris: /* Distribution */

2026-05-11T16:34:04Z

Distribution

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:34, 11 May 2026
Line 30:		Line 30:
	Factory sets:		Factory sets:

	Hobby ~~complete set~~: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts)		Hobby: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts)

	Hobby ~~complete~~ Inaugural Limited Edition set: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts)		Hobby Inaugural Limited Edition set: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts)

	Retail ~~complete set~~: (silver box) contained cards 510 cards (base cards 1-503 and 8 random inserts)		Retail: (silver box) contained cards 510 cards (base cards 1-503 and 8 random inserts)

	Retail Series 1 set: 282 cards (1-283) plus four bonus cards. MSRP: $19.99		Retail Series 1 set: 282 cards (1-283) plus four bonus cards. MSRP: $19.99

Chris: /* Distribution */

2026-05-11T16:33:28Z

Distribution

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:33, 11 May 2026
Line 30:		Line 30:
	Factory sets:		Factory sets:

	Hobby complete set: (~~silver~~ box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts)		Hobby complete set: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts)

	~~Retail~~ complete set: (dark blue box) contained cards 510 cards (base cards 1-503 and 8 random inserts)		Hobby complete Inaugural Limited Edition set: (dark blue box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts)

			Retail complete set: (silver box) contained cards 510 cards (base cards 1-503 and 8 random inserts)

	Retail Series 1 set: 282 cards (1-283) plus four bonus cards. MSRP: $19.99		Retail Series 1 set: 282 cards (1-283) plus four bonus cards. MSRP: $19.99

Chris: /* Distribution */

2026-05-11T16:29:35Z

Distribution

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:29, 11 May 2026
Line 28:		Line 28:
	Jumbo: 40 cards per pack, 12 packs per box (MSRP: $5). Hobby only.		Jumbo: 40 cards per pack, 12 packs per box (MSRP: $5). Hobby only.

	Factory sets: Hobby ~~sets~~ (silver box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts) ~~while retail sets~~ (dark blue box) contained cards 510 cards (base cards 1-503 and 8 random inserts)		Factory sets:

			Hobby complete set: (silver box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts)

			Retail complete set: (dark blue box) contained cards 510 cards (base cards 1-503 and 8 random inserts)

			Retail Series 1 set: 282 cards (1-283) plus four bonus cards. MSRP: $19.99

			Retail Series 2 set: 221 cards (284-504) plus four bonus cards. MSRP: $19.99

	=Reviews=		=Reviews=

Chris: /* Distribution */

2026-05-11T16:21:54Z

Distribution

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:21, 11 May 2026
Line 28:		Line 28:
	Jumbo: 40 cards per pack, 12 packs per box (MSRP: $5). Hobby only.		Jumbo: 40 cards per pack, 12 packs per box (MSRP: $5). Hobby only.

	Factory sets.		Factory sets: Hobby sets (silver box) contained 511 cards (base cards 1-504 and 8 random inserts) while retail sets (dark blue box) contained cards 510 cards (base cards 1-503 and 8 random inserts)

	=Reviews=		=Reviews=

Stalegum: /* Roberto Clemente Reprints */

2025-10-14T16:02:27Z

Roberto Clemente Reprints

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:02, 14 October 2025
Line 428:		Line 428:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Roberto-Clemente-Reprints---Finest/18/Roberto-Clemente-(1972-Topps).jpg?id=52d5dc82-2c65-4f7b-ba99-d44bf5b73768&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Roberto-Clemente-Reprints---Finest/18/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 Topps\|1996]] and [[1997 Topps\|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.		Similar to the Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays cards in [[1996 Topps\|1996]] and [[1997 Topps\|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. However for the Finest and Finest Refractor versions it is the opposite: The nine even-numbered cards are in Series One, with the ten odds-numbered cards in Series Two.

	<sql2wiki database="carddb">		<sql2wiki database="carddb">
Line 437:		Line 437:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Roberto-Clemente-Reprints---Factory-Set/8/Roberto-Clemente-(1962-Topps).jpg?id=306a3c5f-fac0-442a-a18d-f376c401584e&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Roberto-Clemente-Reprints---Factory-Set/8/Roberto-Clemente-(1962-Topps).jpg?id=306a3c5f-fac0-442a-a18d-f376c401584e&size=original&side=back&.jpg

	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."		Each 1998 Topps hobby factory set contained a "hermetically sealed" Roberto Clemente reprint card. 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.		Hermetically-sealed cards were also available in special made-for-retail tin boxes.

	===Rookie Class===		===Rookie Class===

Stalegum: /* Alex Rodriguez */

2025-10-14T15:58:09Z

Alex Rodriguez

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:58, 14 October 2025
Line 282:		Line 282:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Base/504/Alex-Rodriguez.jpg?id=abed44b8-3bee-4324-8cfc-eaacef70e642&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Base/504/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.		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 our [[1993 Topps Traded]] article.

	<sql2wiki database="carddb">		<sql2wiki database="carddb">

Stalegum: /* Our Favorite Card */

2025-10-14T15:57:41Z

Our Favorite Card

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:57, 14 October 2025
Line 16:		Line 16:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Base/240/Pete-Rose-Jr.jpg?id=348c6059-9d9e-4d02-a1aa-0177a00c04b9&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Base/240/Pete-Rose-Jr.jpg?id=348c6059-9d9e-4d02-a1aa-0177a00c04b9&size=original&side=back&.jpg

	Pete Rose, Jr. spent over two decades grinding through the Minor Leagues, never approaching the storied career of his father. Still, he earned a brief moment in the spotlight as a September call-up with the '97 Reds, appearing in eleven ~~Major League~~ games.		Pete Rose, Jr. spent over two decades grinding through the Minor Leagues, never approaching the storied career of his father. Still, he earned a brief moment in the spotlight as a September call-up with the '97 Reds, appearing in eleven MLB games. Final stat line: .250/.143/.393 and a WAR of -0.3.

	Rose was 27 at the time and never considered a top prospect. He never had a Bowman card and the other MLB-licensed producers didn't see the need to issue one. Nonetheless, Topps honored Rose's short stint with a card in Series One (#240), marking his only official rookie card.		Rose was 27 at the time and never considered a top prospect. He never had a Bowman card and the other MLB-licensed producers didn't see the need to issue one. Nonetheless, Topps honored Rose's short stint with a card in Series One (#240), marking his only official rookie card.

Stalegum at 15:54, 14 October 2025

2025-10-14T15:54:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 14 October 2025
Line 11:		Line 11:
	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.		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.

	=Our Favorite Card=		===Our Favorite Card===

	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Base/240/Pete-Rose-Jr.jpg?id=348c6059-9d9e-4d02-a1aa-0177a00c04b9&size=original&side=front&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Base/240/Pete-Rose-Jr.jpg?id=348c6059-9d9e-4d02-a1aa-0177a00c04b9&size=original&side=front&.jpg

Stalegum: /* Our Favorite Card */

2025-10-14T15:54:06Z

Our Favorite Card

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 14 October 2025
Line 16:		Line 16:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Base/240/Pete-Rose-Jr.jpg?id=348c6059-9d9e-4d02-a1aa-0177a00c04b9&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps---Base/240/Pete-Rose-Jr.jpg?id=348c6059-9d9e-4d02-a1aa-0177a00c04b9&size=original&side=back&.jpg

	Pete Rose, Jr. ~~did not have nearly~~ the career his father ~~did -- playing over twenty years in Minors~~. ~~But~~ he ~~did manage~~ a ~~Big League cup-of-coffee~~ as a September call-up with the '97 Reds~~. Topps commemorated his~~ eleven-game MLB career with a card in Series One (#240) -- his one and only rookie card. Rose, Jr. was never considered a serious prospect -- he was 27 by the time of his call-up -- and therefore did not have any Bowman cards, nor did any of the other MLB licensees feel fit to issue one.		Pete Rose, Jr. spent over two decades grinding through the Minor Leagues, never approaching the storied career of his father. Still, he earned a brief moment in the spotlight as a September call-up with the '97 Reds, appearing in eleven Major League games.

	~~This~~ was ~~not~~ Rose~~, Jr~~'s first appearance ~~on a card though~~. [[1982 Fleer\|~~Fifteen years earlier~~,]] ~~Fleer made~~ a card of Pete Rose, Jr. ~~with~~ his still-~~active (and still not banned) dad. Pete~~ Jr. was a bat boy ~~with~~ the 1981 Phillies. However, since he ~~is not~~ depicted as a player, and ~~the fact that he~~ was eleven, that card ~~is not considered~~ a "true" rookie ~~card~~.		Rose was 27 at the time and never considered a top prospect. He never had a Bowman card and the other MLB-licensed producers didn't see the need to issue one. Nonetheless, Topps honored Rose's short stint with a card in Series One (#240), marking his only official rookie card.

			Interestingly, this wasn’t his first cardboard appearance. [[1982 Fleer\|Back in 1982, Fleer]] issued a card featuring Pete Rose, Jr. alongside his father -- then still an active player -- when Jr. was a bat boy for the 1981 Phillies. However, since he wasn’t depicted as a player and was only eleven years old, that card isn’t recognized as a "true" rookie.

	=Distribution=		=Distribution=