2003 Topps 205
Description
Fresh off the successful Topps 206 release of a year earlier, the first series of 2003 Topps 205 was released in July, 2003. The base set consists of 150 cards with 15 (non-short-printed) variations. Each eight-card pack contained one mini-sized parallel, and one "Triple Folder" insert.
Just like the original 1911 T-205's, there are separate designs for the National League, American League, and minor league players. The first 120 cards consists of current Major League players. Cards numbered #121 through #144 feature prospects and first-year players, all using the ornate T-205 Minor League design. Among this subset is a rookie card of Hanley Ramirez.
Card number number 145 features the "rookie card" Louis Sockalexis, a member of the Penobscot Tribe, who was supposedly the player the Cleveland Indians named their team in honor of. Despite playing three seasons with the then Cleveland Spiders, Sockalexis never appeared on a trading card. Cards numbered 146 to 150 feature various "reprints" of some of the tougher T-205 cards.
Each 20-pack box yielded two framed "hits," a box containing an addition 20 mini cards, and a historical essay from noted collector Keith Olbermann. Also randomly inserted in packs were cards featuring "repurchased" tobacco cards. Those cards were inserted at a stated rate of 1:336/packs.
Distribution
20 packs per box, eight cards per pack. Hobby Only.
Reviews
Insertion Ratios
| Cards | Total Cards | Numbered To | Hobby Odds | Retail Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | ? | - | ? | ? |
Checklist
Base Set
1 Barry Bonds (w/Hat)
2 Bret Boone
3 Albert Pujols ("Clear" Logo)
4 Carl Crawford
5 Bartolo Colon
6 Cliff Floyd
7 John Olerud
8 Jason Giambi (Full Jacket)
9 Edgardo Alfonzo
10 Ivan Rodriguez
11 Jim Edmonds
12 Mike Piazza (Orange Background)
13 Greg Maddux
14 Jose Vidro
15 Vladimir Guerrero ("Clear" Logo)
16 Bernie Williams
17 Roger Clemens
18 Miguel Tejada (Blue Background)
19 Carlos Delgado
20 Alfonso Soriano (w/Bat)
21 Bobby Cox
22 Mike Scioscia
23 John Smoltz
24 Luis Gonzalez
25 Shawn Green
26 Raul Ibanez
27 Andruw Jones
28 Josh Beckett
29 Derek Lowe
30 Todd Helton
31 Barry Larkin
32 Jason Jennings
33 Darin Erstad
34 Magglio Ordonez
35 Mike Sweeney
36 Kazuhisa Ishii
37 Ron Gardenhire
38 Tim Hudson
39 Tim Salmon
40 Pat Burrell (Black Bat)
41 Manny Ramirez
42 Nick Johnson
43 Tom Glavine
44 Mark Mulder
45 Brian Jordan
46 Rafael Palmeiro
47 Vernon Wells
48 Bob Brenly
49 C.C. Sabathia
50 Alex Rodriguez (Looking Straight Ahead)
51 Sammy Sosa (Head Down)
52 Paul Konerko
53 Craig Biggio
54 Moises Alou
55 Johnny Damon
56 Torii Hunter
57 Omar Vizquel
58 Orlando Hernandez
59 Barry Zito
60 Lance Berkman
61 Carlos Beltran
62 Edgar Renteria
63 Ben Sheets
64 Doug Mientkiewicz
65 Troy Glaus
66 Preston Wilson
67 Kerry Wood
68 Frank Thomas
69 Jimmy Rollins
70 Brian Giles
71 Bobby Higginson
72 Larry Walker
73 Randy Johnson
74 Tony LaRussa
75 Derek Jeter (w/Gold Trim)
76 Bobby Abreu
77 Adam Dunn (Grinning)
78 Ryan Klesko
79 Francisco Rodriguez
80 Scott Rolen
81 Roberto Alomar
82 Joe Torre
83 Jim Thome
84 Kevin Millwood
85 J.T. Snow
86 Trevor Hoffman
87 Jay Gibbons
88 Mark Prior (Modern Cubs Logo)
89 Rich Aurilia
90 Chipper Jones
91 Richie Sexson
92 Gary Sheffield
93 Pedro Martinez
94 Rodrigo Lopez
95 Al Leiter
96 Jorge Posada
97 Luis Castillo
98 Aubrey Huff
99 A.J. Pierzynski
100 Ichiro (Looking Straight Ahead)
101 Eric Chavez
102 Brett Myers
103 Jason Kendall
104 Jeff Kent
105 Eric Hinske
106 Jacque Jones
107 Phil Nevin
108 Roy Oswalt
109 Curt Schilling
110 Nomar Garciaparra (w/Gold Trim)
111 Garret Anderson
112 Eric Gagne
113 Javier Vazquez
114 Jeff Bagwell
115 Mike Lowell
116 Carlos Pena
117 Ken Griffey Jr.
118 Tony Batista
119 Edgar Martinez
120 Austin Kearns
Prospects
121 Jason Stokes
122 Jose Reyes
123 Rocco Baldelli
124 Joe Borchard
125 Joe Mauer
126 Gavin Floyd
127 Mark Teixeira
128 Jeremy Guthrie
129 B.J. Upton
130 Khalil Greene
First-Year Players
131 Craig Ansman RC
132 Andy Marte RC
133 J.D. Durbin RC
134 Jason Kubel RC
135 Craig Brazell RC
136 Bryan Bullington RC
137 Jose Contreras RC
138 Brian Burgamy RC
139 Evel Bastida-Martinez RC
140 Joey Gomes RC
141 Ismael Castro RC
142 Travis Wong RC
143 Michael Garciaparra RC
144 Arnaldo Munoz RC
145 Louis Sockalexis XRC
T205 Reprints
146 Richard Hoblitzell
147 George Graham
148 Hal Chase
149 John McGraw
150 Roderick J. Wallace
Variations
NOTE: All 15 variations are NOT short-printed and are considered part of the base set.
1 Barry Bonds (w/Helmet)
3 Albert Pujols (Clear Logo)
8 Jason Giambi (Partial Jacket)
12 Mike Piazza (Yellow Background)
15 Vladimir Guerrero (Clear Logo)
18 Miguel Tejada (Green Background)
20 Alfonso Soriano (w/Sunglasses)
40 Pat Burrell (Brown Bat)
50 Alex Rodriguez (Looking Away)
51 Sammy Sosa (Looking Left)
75 Derek Jeter (w/o Gold Trim)
77 Adam Dunn (Smiling)
88 Mark Prior ("Bear" Logo)
100 Ichiro (Looking Right)
110 Nomar Garciaparra (w/o Gold Trim)
Parallels
Each mini-sized parallel measures 1-7/16" x 2-5/8 and come one-per-pack. In addition, each box contains a bonus 20-card mini-box.
Polar Bear (Common)
Sovereign Black-Back (Uncommon; 20% of production with Green backs)
Drum (Rare)
Bazooka (numbered to five copies)
Multi-Brand
What has become known as the "multi-brand parallel," is a set of minis with a combination of five different ad backs: American Beauty (AB), Cycle (C), Honest (H), Piedmont (P), and Sweet Caporal (SC). Ten percent of the production run of all cards are printed with purple ink, the rest with brown ink.
1 Barry Bonds (w/Hat) AB
1 Barry Bonds (w/Helmet) H
2 Bret Boone P
3 Albert Pujols ("Clear" Logo) P
3 Albert Pujols (White Logo) H
4 Carl Crawford P
5 Bartolo Colon P
6 Cliff Floyd P
7 John Olerud P
8 Jason Giambi (Full Jacket) P
8 Jason Giambi (Partial Jacket) H
9 Edgardo Alfonzo P
10 Ivan Rodriguez P
11 Jim Edmonds P
12 Mike Piazza (Orange Background) P
12 Mike Piazza (Yellow Background) H
13 Greg Maddux P
14 Jose Vidro P
15 Vladimir Guerrero ("Clear" Logo) P
15 Vladimir Guerrero (White Logo) H
16 Bernie Williams P
17 Roger Clemens P
18 Miguel Tejada (Blue Background) P
18 Miguel Tejada (Green Background) H
19 Carlos Delgado P
20 Alfonso Soriano (w/Bat) AB
20 Alfonso Soriano (w/Sunglasses) H
21 Bobby Cox P
22 Mike Scioscia P
23 John Smoltz P
24 Luis Gonzalez P
25 Shawn Green P
26 Raul Ibanez P
27 Andruw Jones P
28 Josh Beckett P
29 Derek Lowe P
30 Todd Helton P
31 Barry Larkin P
32 Jason Jennings P
33 Darin Erstad P
34 Magglio Ordonez P
35 Mike Sweeney P
36 Kazuhisa Ishii P
37 Ron Gardenhire P
38 Tim Hudson P
39 Tim Salmon P
40 Pat Burrell (Black Bat) P
40 Pat Burrell (Brown Bat) H
41 Manny Ramirez P
42 Nick Johnson P
43 Tom Glavine P
44 Mark Mulder P
45 Brian Jordan P
46 Rafael Palmeiro P
47 Vernon Wells P
48 Bob Brenly P
49 C.C. Sabathia P
50 Alex Rodriguez (Looking Straight Ahead) AB
50 Alex Rodriguez (Looking Away) H
51 Sammy Sosa (Head Down) AB
51 Sammy Sosa (Looking Left) H
52 Paul Konerko P
53 Craig Biggio P
54 Moises Alou P
55 Johnny Damon P
56 Torii Hunter P
57 Omar Vizquel P
58 Orlando Hernandez P
59 Barry Zito P
60 Lance Berkman P
61 Carlos Beltran P
62 Edgar Renteria P
63 Ben Sheets P
64 Doug Mientkiewicz P
65 Troy Glaus P
66 Preston Wilson P
67 Kerry Wood P
68 Frank Thomas P
69 Jimmy Rollins P
70 Brian Giles SC
71 Bobby Higginson SC
72 Larry Walker SC
73 Randy Johnson SC
74 Tony LaRussa SC
75 Derek Jeter (w/Gold Trim) H
75 Derek Jeter (w/o Gold Trim) SC
76 Bobby Abreu SC
77 Adam Dunn (Grinning) H
77 Adam Dunn (Smiling) SC
78 Ryan Klesko SC
79 Francisco Rodriguez SC
80 Scott Rolen SC
81 Roberto Alomar SC
82 Joe Torre SC
83 Jim Thome SC
84 Kevin Millwood SC
85 J.T. Snow SC
86 Trevor Hoffman SC
87 Jay Gibbons SC
88 Mark Prior (Modern Cubs Logo) SC
88 Mark Prior ("Bear" Logo) H
89 Rich Aurilia SC
90 Chipper Jones SC
91 Richie Sexson SC
92 Gary Sheffield SC
93 Pedro Martinez SC
94 Rodrigo Lopez SC
95 Al Leiter SC
96 Jorge Posada SC
97 Luis Castillo SC
98 Aubrey Huff SC
99 A.J. Pierzynski SC
100 Ichiro (Looking Straight Ahead) AB
100 Ichiro (Looking Right) H
101 Eric Chavez SC
102 Brett Myers SC
103 Jason Kendall SC
104 Jeff Kent SC
105 Eric Hinske SC
106 Jacque Jones SC
107 Phil Nevin SC
108 Roy Oswalt SC
109 Curt Schilling SC
110 Nomar Garciaparra (w/Gold Trim) H
110 Nomar Garciaparra (w/o Gold Trim) SC
111 Garret Anderson SC
112 Eric Gagne SC
113 Javier Vazquez SC
114 Jeff Bagwell SC
115 Mike Lowell SC
116 Carlos Pena SC
117 Ken Griffey Jr. SC
118 Tony Batista SC
119 Edgar Martinez SC
120 Austin Kearns SC
121 Jason Stokes C
122 Jose Reyes C
123 Rocco Baldelli C
124 Joe Borchard C
125 Joe Mauer C
126 Gavin Floyd C
127 Mark Teixeira C
128 Jeremy Guthrie C
129 B.J. Upton C
130 Khalil Greene C
131 Craig Ansman C
132 Andy Marte C
133 J.D. Durbin C
134 Jason Kubel C
135 Craig Brazell C
136 Bryan Bullington C
137 Jose Contreras C
138 Brian Burgamy C
139 Evel Bastida-Martinez C
140 Joey Gomes C
141 Ismael Castro C
142 Travis Wong C
143 Michael Garciaparra C
144 Arnaldo Munoz C
145 Louis Sockalexis C
146 Richard Hoblitzell AB
147 George Graham AB
148 Hal Chase AB
149 John McGraw AB
150 Roderick J. Wallace AB
Brooklyn
This bizarrely fractured parallel is broken-up into four tiers. 25 cards are Common (C), 85 Uncommon (U), 30 Rare (R), and 30 numbered-to-five (5). Unlike the other parallels, the 15 variations are not included in this set.
1 Barry Bonds U
2 Bret Boone U
3 Albert Pujols U
4 Carl Crawford U
5 Bartolo Colon R
6 Cliff Floyd R
7 John Olerud R
8 Jason Giambi U
9 Edgardo Alfonzo 5
10 Ivan Rodriguez 5
11 Jim Edmonds U
12 Mike Piazza C
13 Greg Maddux U
14 Jose Vidro U
15 Vladimir Guerrero R
16 Bernie Williams R
17 Roger Clemens C
18 Miguel Tejada U
19 Carlos Delgado U
20 Alfonso Soriano C
21 Bobby Cox U
22 Mike Scioscia R
23 John Smoltz U
24 Luis Gonzalez C
25 Shawn Green C
26 Raul Ibanez C
27 Andruw Jones U
28 Josh Beckett C
29 Derek Lowe U
30 Todd Helton C
31 Barry Larkin U
32 Jason Jennings U
33 Darin Erstad U
34 Magglio Ordonez C
35 Mike Sweeney U
36 Kazuhisa Ishii U
37 Ron Gardenhire C
38 Tim Hudson U
39 Tim Salmon C
40 Pat Burrell R
41 Manny Ramirez C
42 Nick Johnson U
43 Tom Glavine U
44 Mark Mulder R
45 Brian Jordan U
46 Rafael Palmeiro R
47 Vernon Wells C
48 Bob Brenly U
49 C.C. Sabathia U
50 Alex Rodriguez C
51 Sammy Sosa R
52 Paul Konerko R
53 Craig Biggio U
54 Moises Alou R
55 Johnny Damon U
56 Torii Hunter C
57 Omar Vizquel C
58 Orlando Hernandez 5
59 Barry Zito U
60 Lance Berkman C
61 Carlos Beltran U
62 Edgar Renteria U
63 Ben Sheets U
64 Doug Mientkiewicz U
65 Troy Glaus R
66 Preston Wilson U
67 Kerry Wood C
68 Frank Thomas U
69 Jimmy Rollins U
70 Brian Giles U
71 Bobby Higginson U
72 Larry Walker C
73 Randy Johnson C
74 Tony LaRussa R
75 Derek Jeter U
76 Bobby Abreu U
77 Adam Dunn U
78 Ryan Klesko R
79 Francisco Rodriguez U
80 Scott Rolen R
81 Roberto Alomar C
82 Joe Torre R
83 Jim Thome 5
84 Kevin Millwood 5
85 J.T. Snow U
86 Trevor Hoffman R
87 Jay Gibbons U
88 Mark Prior C
89 Rich Aurilia R
90 Chipper Jones U
91 Richie Sexson R
92 Gary Sheffield U
93 Pedro Martinez R
94 Rodrigo Lopez U
95 Al Leiter U
96 Jorge Posada C
97 Luis Castillo R
98 Aubrey Huff C
99 A.J. Pierzynski U
100 Ichiro U
101 Eric Chavez U
102 Brett Myers U
103 Jason Kendall U
104 Jeff Kent 5
105 Eric Hinske U
106 Jacque Jones U
107 Phil Nevin R
108 Roy Oswalt R
109 Curt Schilling U
110 Nomar Garciaparra R
111 Garret Anderson U
112 Eric Gagne U
113 Javier Vazquez U
114 Jeff Bagwell U
115 Mike Lowell C
116 Carlos Pena U
117 Ken Griffey Jr. R
118 Tony Batista R
119 Edgar Martinez U
120 Austin Kearns C
121 Jason Stokes 5
122 Jose Reyes 5
123 Rocco Baldelli 5
124 Joe Borchard 5
125 Joe Mauer 5
126 Gavin Floyd 5
127 Mark Teixeira 5
128 Jeremy Guthrie 5
129 B.J. Upton U
130 Khalil Greene 5
131 Hanley Ramirez R
132 Andy Marte U
133 J.D. Durbin 5
134 Jason Kubel 5
135 Craig Brazell 5
136 Bryan Bullington R
137 Jose Contreras 5
138 Brian Burgamy R
139 Evel Bastida-Martinez 5
140 Joey Gomes 5
141 Ismael Castro 5
142 Travis Wong 5
143 Michael Garciaparra 5
144 Arnaldo Munoz U
145 Louis Sockalexis 5
146 Richard Hoblitzell 5
147 George Graham 5
148 Hal Chase 5
149 John McGraw 5
150 Roderick J. Wallace 5
Inserts
Triple Folders
This 50 card set is based on the 1912 T-202 Hassan "Triple Folders." Each card measures 2-1/2" X 7", and is folded to fit into the pack. The two end "cards" fold out to reveal a full-color reproduction of the player's Topps 205 card, centered with a black-and-white action photo of the two players.
The backs are available in Polar Bear (Common) and Brooklyn (Rare) variations.
TF1 Barry Bonds/Jason Larue
TF2 Alfonso Soriano/Derek Jeter
TF3 Alex Rodriguez/Miguel Tejada
TF4 Derek Jeter/Nomar Garciaparra
TF5 Alex Rodriguez/Omar Vizquel
TF6 Omar Vizquel/Paul Konerko
TF7 Magglio Ordonez/Paul Konerko
TF8 Darin Erstad/Doug Mientkiewicz
TF9 Jason Kendall/Jimmy Rollins
TF10 Roberto Alomar/Shawn Green
TF11 Derek Jeter/Roberto Alomar
TF12 Bobby Abreu/Luis Castillo
TF13 Curt Schilling/Randy Johnson
TF14 Kerry Wood/Mike Piazza
TF15 Jorge Posada/Roger Clemens
TF16 Ichiro/Ryan Klesko
TF17 Alfonso Soriano/Roberto Alomar
TF18 Barry Bonds/Nick Johnson
TF19 Andruw Jones/Chipper Jones
TF20 Bobby Abreu/Paul Konerko
TF21 Alex Rodriguez/Rafael Palmeiro
TF22 Carlos Delgado/Eric Hinske
TF23 Jay Gibbons/Nomar Garciaparra
TF24 Luis Gonzalez/Mike Piazza
TF25 J.T. Snow/Vladimir Guerrero
TF26 Bernie Williams/Jason Giambi
TF27 Miguel Tejada/Richie Sexson
TF28 Doug Mientkiewicz/Jimmy Rollins
TF29 Derek Jeter/Eric Chavez
TF30 Alfonso Soriano/Bret Boone
TF31 Chipper Jones/Mike Piazza
TF32 Bret Boone/Ichiro
TF33 Bobby Abreu/Mike Piazza
TF34 Jimmy Rollins/Pat Burrell
TF35 Ichiro/Miguel Tejada
TF36 Barry Bonds/Jason LaRue
TF37 Alfonso Soriano/Derek Jeter
TF38 Alex Rodriguez/Miguel Tejada
TF39 Derek Jeter/Nomar Garciaparra
TF40 Alex Rodriguez/Omar Vizquel
TF41 Curt Schilling/Randy Johnson
TF42 Jorge Posada/Roger Clemens
TF43 Ichiro/Ryan Klesko
TF44 Barry Bonds/Nick Johnson
TF45 Alex Rodriguez/Rafael Palmeiro
TF46 J.T. Snow/Vladimir Guerrero
TF47 Derek Jeter/Eric Chavez
TF48 Bret Boone/Ichiro
TF49 Bobby Abreu/Mike Piazza
TF50 Ichiro/Miguel Tejada