This article is about a set that is scheduled to be released in the near-future.
Some information may change as more facts become known.

Description

2003 Diamond Kings is a 200-card set released in two series. The first 176 cards were issued as part of the regular Diamond Kings product, with the last 26 cards in the base set short-printed. Card #176 was a late addition to the product as is also SPed at a rate even scarcer than that of the other SPs. A typical 24-pack Hobby box should yield eight SPs, six parallels, two inserts, and either an autograph or a game-used memorabilia card.

The final 24 cards were randomly inserted into packs of 2003 DLP Rookie/Traded at the rate of one-per-box.

Distribution

Hobby: 24 packs per box, five cards per pack (MSRP: $4). 20 boxes per case.

Reviews

Insertion Ratios

Cards	Total Cards	Numbered To	Hobby Odds	Retail Odds
Diamond Kings Series	176	-	?	?
short set	150	-	?	?
Rookies	9	-	1:6	1:6
Retired Players	16	-	1:6	1:6
DLP Rookie/Traded Series	24	-	1:24*	1:24*
Framed White (DK Series)	176	-	?	?
Framed White (DLP Series)	24	200	?	?
Framed Grey (DK Series)	176	400	?	?
Framed Grey (DLP Series)	24	100	?	?
Framed Black (DK Series)	176	100	?	?
Framed Black (DLP Series)	24	50	?	?
DK Evolution	25	-	1:18	1:36
Heritage Collection	25	-	1:23	1:23
HOF Heroes Reprints	10	-	1:43	1:67
Team Timeline	10	1000	?	?
Recollection	14	varies	?	?
Diamond Cut Collection	110	varies	?	?
Team Timeline Jerseys	10	100	?	?
HOF Heroes Reprints Materials	10	50	?	?
Recollection Autographs	78	varies	?	?

Checklist

Promos

Beckett Samples

Inserted into each January, 2003 issue of Beckett Baseball Card Monthly was a 2003 Diamond Kings promo card. These cards partially-parallel the first 100 cards in the base set, but have the word "SAMPLE" stamped in silver foil on the back. On about 10% of the cards, SAMPLE is stamped in gold foil.

Base Set

Diamond Kings Series

1 Darin Erstad
2 Garret Anderson
3 Troy Glaus
4 David Eckstein
5 Jarrod Washburn
6 Adam Kennedy
7 Jay Gibbons
8 Tony Batista
9 Melvin Mora
10 Rodrigo Lopez
11 Manny Ramirez
12 Pedro Martinez
13 Nomar Garciaparra
14 Rickey Henderson
15 Johnny Damon
16 Derek Lowe
17 Cliff Floyd
18 Frank Thomas
19 Magglio Ordonez
20 Paul Konerko
21 Mark Buehrle
22 C.C. Sabathia
23 Omar Vizquel
24 Jim Thome
25 Ellis Burks
26 Robert Fick
27 Bobby Higginson
28 Randall Simon
29 Carlos Pena
30 Carlos Beltran
31 Paul Byrd
32 Raul Ibanez
33 Mike Sweeney
34 Torii Hunter
35 Corey Koskie
36 A.J. Pierzynski
37 Cristian Guzman
38 Jacque Jones
39 Derek Jeter
40 Bernie Williams
41 Roger Clemens
42 Mike Mussina
43 Jorge Posada
44 Alfonso Soriano
45 Jason Giambi
46 Robin Ventura
47 David Wells
48 Tim Hudson
49 Barry Zito
50 Mark Mulder
51 Miguel Tejada
52 Eric Chavez
53 Jermaine Dye
54 Ichiro
55 Edgar Martinez
56 John Olerud
57 Dan Wilson
58 Joel Pineiro
59 Kazuhiro Sasaki
60 Freddy Garcia
61 Aubrey Huff
62 Steve Cox
63 Randy Winn
64 Alex Rodriguez
65 Juan Gonzalez
66 Rafael Palmeiro
67 Ivan Rodriguez
68 Kenny Rogers
69 Carlos Delgado
70 Eric Hinske
71 Roy Halladay
72 Vernon Wells
73 Shannon Stewart
74 Curt Schilling
75 Randy Johnson
76 Luis Gonzalez
77 Mark Grace
78 Junior Spivey
79 Greg Maddux
80 Tom Glavine
81 John Smoltz
82 Chipper Jones
83 Gary Sheffield
84 Andruw Jones
85 Kerry Wood
86 Fred McGriff
87 Sammy Sosa
88 Mark Prior
89 Ken Griffey, Jr.
90 Barry Larkin
91 Adam Dunn
92 Sean Casey
93 Austin Kearns
94 Aaron Boone
95 Larry Walker
96 Todd Helton
97 Jason Jennings
98 Jay Payton
99 Josh Beckett
100 Mike Lowell
101 A.J. Burnett
102 Jeff Bagwell
103 Craig Biggio
104 Lance Berkman
105 Roy Oswalt
106 Wade Miller
107 Shawn Green
108 Adrian Beltre
109 Hideo Nomo
110 Kazuhisa Ishii
111 Odalis Perez
112 Paul Lo Duca
113 Ben Sheets
114 Richie Sexson
115 Jose Hernandez
116 Vladimir Guerrero
117 Jose Vidro
118 Tomo Ohka
119 Andres Galarraga
120 Bartolo Colon
121 Mike Piazza
122 Roberto Alomar
123 Mo Vaughn
124 Al Leiter
125 Edgardo Alfonzo
126 Pat Burrell
127 Bob Abreu
128 Mike Lieberthal
129 Vicente Padilla
130 Marlon Byrd
131 Jason Kendall
132 Brian Giles
133 Aramis Ramirez
134 Kip Wells
135 Ryan Klesko
136 Phil Nevin
137 Brian Lawrence
138 Sean Burroughs
139 Mark Kotsay
140 Barry Bonds
141 Jeff Kent
142 Benito Santiago
143 Kirk Rueter
144 Jason Schmidt
145 Jim Edmonds
146 J.D. Drew
147 Albert Pujols
148 Tino Martinez
149 Matt Morris
150 Scott Rolen
151 Joe Borchard
152 Cliff Lee
153 Brian Tallet
154 Freddy Sanchez
155 Chone Figgins
156 Kevin Cash
157 Justin Wayne
158 Ben Kozlowski
159 Babe Ruth
160 Jackie Robinson
161 Ozzie Smith
162 Lou Gehrig
163 Stan Musial
164 Mike Schmidt
165 Carlton Fisk
166 George Brett
167 Dale Murphy
168 Cal Ripken, Jr.
169 Tony Gwynn
170 Don Mattingly
171 Jack Morris
172 Ty Cobb
173 Nolan Ryan
174 Ryne Sandberg
175 Thurman Munson
176 Jose Contreras RC

DLP Rookie/Traded Series

177 Hideki Matsui RC
178 Jeremy Bonderman RC
179 Brandon Webb RC
180 Adam Loewen RC
181 Chien-Ming Wang RC
182 Hong-Chih Kuo RC
183 Clint Barmes RC
184 Guillermo Quiroz RC
185 Edgar Gonzalez RC
186 Todd Wellemeyer RC
187 Dan Haren RC
188 Dustin McGowan RC
189 Preston Larrison
191 Kevin Youkilis
192 Bubba Nelson RC*
193 Chris Burke RC
194 J.D. Durbin RC
195 Ryan Howard
196 Jason Kubel RC
197 Brendan Harris RC
198 Brian Bruney
199 Ramon Nivar RC
200 Rickie Weeks RC
201 Delmon Young RC

Parallels

Framed

All 200 base cards are available in the following Framed parallels.

White (DK Series: un-numbered; DLP Series: serial-numbered to 200 copies)
Grey (DK Series: serial-numbered to 400 copies; DLP Series: serial-numbered to 100 copies)
Black (DK Series: serial-numbered to 100 copies; DLP Series: serial-numbered to 50 copies)

Atlantic City National

Collectors who attended the 2003 National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City, NJ, and ripped three packs of Diamond Kings at Donruss-Playoff's corporate booth would be entitled to receive a special parallel from the 176 Diamond King Series base cards. Each card is serial-numbered to five copies and has an "Atlantic City National" logo embossed.

Chicago Collection

Similar to the Atlantic City set, collectors who attended the March, 2003 Chicago Sun-Times card show and opened three packs of 2003 Diamond Kings at the Donruss-Playoff corporate booth would receive a "Chicago Collection" parallel. Like the Atlantic City set, each card is serial-numbered to five copies and is embossed with a special logo.

Inserts

DK Evolution

DK Evolution is a lenticular set which shows the original Diamond King artwork along with the photograph it was based on.

DK-1 Cal Ripken, Jr.
DK-2 Ichiro
DK-3 Randy Johnson
DK-4 Pedro Martinez
DK-5 Nolan Ryan
DK-6 Derek Jeter
DK-7 Kerry Wood
DK-8 Alex Rodriguez
DK-9 Magglio Ordonez
DK-10 Greg Maddux
DK-11 Todd Helton
DK-12 Sammy Sosa
DK-13 Lou Gehrig
DK-14 Lance Berkman
DK-15 Barry Zito
DK-16 Barry Bonds
DK-17 Tom Glavine
DK-18 Shawn Green
DK-19 Roger Clemens
DK-20 Nomar Garciaparra
DK-21 Tony Gwynn
DK-22 Vladimir Guerrero
DK-23 Albert Pujols
DK-24 Chipper Jones
DK-25 Alfonso Soriano

Heritage Collection

A special parallel distributed to attendees of the 2003 Hawaii Trade Show was distributed. These cards are embossed with a special logo and serial-numbered to 20 copies.

HC-1 Ozzie Smith
HC-2 Lou Gehrig
HC-3 Stan Musial
HC-4 Mike Schmidt
HC-5 Carlton Fisk
HC-6 George Brett
HC-7 Dale Murphy
HC-8 Cal Ripken, Jr.
HC-9 Tony Gwynn
HC-10 Don Mattingly
HC-11 Jack Morris
HC-12 Ty Cobb
HC-13 Nolan Ryan
HC-14 Ryne Sandberg
HC-15 Thurman Munson
HC-16 Ichiro
HC-17 Derek Jeter
HC-18 Greg Maddux
HC-19 Sammy Sosa
HC-20 Pedro Martinez
HC-21 Alex Rodriguez
HC-22 Roger Clemens
HC-23 Barry Bonds
HC-24 Lance Berkman
HC-25 Vladimir Guerrero

HOF Heroes Reprints

This set features reprints of ten cards from the 1983 Donruss HOF Heroes set.

A special parallel distributed to attendees of the 2003 Hawaii Trade Show was distributed. These cards are embossed with a special logo and serial-numbered to 50 copies.

1 Bob Feller
2 Al Kaline
3 Lou Boudreau
4 Duke Snider
5 Jackie Robinson
6 Early Wynn
7 Yogi Berra
8 Stan Musial
9 Ty Cobb
10 Ted Williams

Team Timeline

Each Team Timeline card is serial-numbered to 1000 copies.

A special parallel distributed to attendees of the 2003 Hawaii Trade Show was distributed. These cards are embossed with a special logo and serial-numbered to 50 copies.

TT-1 Nolan Ryan / Roy Oswalt
TT-2 Dale Murphy / Chipper Jones
TT-3 Stan Musial / Jim Edmonds
TT-4 George Brett / Mike Sweeney
TT-5 Tony Gwynn / Ryan Klesko
TT-6 Carlton Fisk / Magglio Ordonez
TT-7 Mike Schmidt / Pat Burrell
TT-8 Don Mattingly / Bernie Williams
TT-9 Ryne Sandberg / Kerry Wood
TT-10 Lou Gehrig / Alfonso Soriano

Recollection

Each Recollection card is a buy-back of a Diamond King from a 1980s Donruss set. Each card is serial-numbered to the figures listed below.

5 Lou Boudreau
15 Roberto Clemente
18 Ty Cobb
44 Monte Irvin
48 Bob Lemon
66 Diamond King - Dan Quisenberry
69 Jackie Robinson
82 Diamond King - Willie Stargell
83 Diamond King - Willie Stargell
90 Ted Williams
92 Early Wynn
16 Roberto Clemente DK
34 Lou Gehrig DK
17 Ty Cobb DK

Autographs & Game-Used

Diamond Cut Collection

1 Barry Zito
2 Edgar Martinez
3 Jay Gibbons
4 Joe Borchard
5 Marlon Byrd
6 Adam Dunn
7 Torii Hunter
8 Vladimir Guerrero
9 Wade Miller
10 Alfonso Soriano
11 Brian Lawrence
12 Cliff Floyd
13 Dale Murphy
14 Jack Morris
15 Eric Hinske
16 Jason Jennings
17 Mark Buehrle
18 Mark Prior
19 Mark Mulder
20 Mike Sweeney
21 Nolan Ryan
22 Don Mattingly
23 Andruw Jones
24 Aubrey Huff
25 Rickey Henderson
26 Nolan Ryan
27 Ozzie Smith
28 Rickey Henderson
29 Jack Morris
30 George Brett
31 Cal Ripken, Jr.
32 Ryne Sandberg
33 Don Mattingly
34 Tony Gwynn
35 Dale Murphy
36 Carlton Fisk
37 Stan Musial
38 Lou Gehrig
39 Garret Anderson
40 Pedro Martinez
41 Nomar Garciaparra
42 Magglio Ordonez
43 C.C. Sabathia
44 Omar Vizquel
45 Jim Thome
46 Torii Hunter
47 Roger Clemens
48 Alfonso Soriano
49 Tim Hudson
50 Barry Zito
51 Mark Mulder
52 Miguel Tejada
53 John Olerud
54 Alex Rodriguez
55 Rafael Palmeiro
56 Curt Schilling
57 Randy Johnson
58 Greg Maddux
59 John Smoltz
60 Chipper Jones
61 Andruw Jones
62 Kerry Wood
63 Mark Prior
64 Adam Dunn
65 Larry Walker
66 Todd Helton
67 Jeff Bagwell
68 Roy Oswalt
69 Hideo Nomo
70 Kazuhisa Ishii
71 Vladimir Guerrero
72 Mike Piazza
73 Joe Borchard
74 Ryan Klesko
75 Shawn Green
76 George Brett
77 Ozzie Smith
78 Cal Ripken, Jr.
79 Don Mattingly
80 Babe Ruth
81 Dale Murphy
82 Rickey Henderson
83 Ivan Rodriguez
84 Marlon Byrd
85 Eric Chavez
86 Nomar Garciaparra
87 Alex Rodriguez
88 Vladimir Guerrero
89 Paul Lo Duca
90 Richie Sexson
91 Mike Piazza
92 J.D. Drew
93 Juan Gonzalez
94 Pat Burrell
95 Adam Dunn
96 Mike Schmidt
97 Ryne Sandberg
98 Edgardo Alfonzo
99 Andruw Jones
100 Carlos Beltran
101 Jeff Bagwell
102 Lance Berkman
103 Luis Gonzalez
104 Carlos Delgado
105 Jim Edmonds
106 Alfonso Soriano
107 Greg Maddux
108 Ty Cobb
109 Adam Dunn
110 Rickey Henderson

Team Timeline Jerseys

Each Team Timeline Jersey is serial-numbered to 100 copies.

HOF Heroes Reprints Materials

Each HOF Heroes Reprints Materials is serial-numbered to 50 copies.

1 Bob Feller
2 Al Kaline
3 Lou Boudreau
4 Duke Snider
5 Jackie Robinson
6 Early Wynn
7 Yogi Berra
8 Stan Musial
9 Ty Cobb
10 Ted Williams

Recollection Autographs

Each Recollection Autograph is signed on a buy-back from a 1980s Donruss set, and serial-numbered to the figures listed below.

1 Diamond King - Adrian Beltre
3 Diamond King - Lance Berkman
4 Diamond King - Lance Berkman
5 Diamond King - George Brett
6 Diamond King - George Brett
7 Diamond King - George Brett
8 Diamond King - George Brett
10 Diamond King - Jose Canseco
11 Diamond King - Gary Carter
12 Diamond King - Gary Carter
13 Diamond King - Will Clark
14 Eric Davis DK
15 Diamond King - Andre Dawson
16 Diamond King - Andre Dawson
17 Diamond King - Andre Dawson
18 Diamond King - Andre Dawson
21 Lenny Dykstra DK
22 Diamond King - Jim Edmonds
25 Diamond King - Carlton Fisk
26 Diamond King - Carlton Fisk
27 Diamond King - Carlton Fisk
28 Diamond King - Carlton Fisk
29 Diamond King - Dwight Gooden
30 Diamond King - Dwight Gooden
31 Diamond King - Shawn Green
32 Diamond King - Tony Gwynn
33 Diamond King - Tony Gwynn
34 Diamond King - Tony Gwynn
35 Diamond King - Tony Gwynn
36 Diamond King - Orel Hershiser
37 Diamond King - Tim Hudson
38 Diamond King - Kazuhisa Ishii
39 Al Kaline
43 Diamond King - Greg Maddux
44 Diamond King - Greg Maddux
45 Diamond King - Greg Maddux
46 Diamond King - Don Mattingly
47 Diamond King - Don Mattingly
48 Diamond King - Don Mattingly
49 Diamond King - Don Mattingly
51 Diamond King - Paul Molitor
52 Diamond King - Jack Morris
53 Diamond King - Dale Murphy
54 Diamond King - Dale Murphy
55 Diamond King - Roy Oswalt
56 Diamond King - Roy Oswalt
57 Diamond King - Tony Perez
58 Diamond King - Manny Ramirez
59 Diamond King - Harold Reynolds
60 Diamond King - Alex Rodriguez
61 Diamond King - Alex Rodriguez
62 Diamond King - Nolan Ryan
63 Diamond King - Nolan Ryan
64 Diamond King - Nolan Ryan
65 Diamond King - Mike Schmidt
66 Diamond King - Mike Schmidt
67 Diamond King - Mike Schmidt
69 Diamond King - Gary Sheffield
71 Diamond King - Ozzie Smith
72 Diamond King - Shannon Stewart
73 Diamond King - Don Sutton
78 Diamond King - Dave Winfield
76 Mark Teixeira DK
77 Bernie Williams DK
74 So Taguchi DK
75 Dennis Tankersley DK
70 Bud Smith DK
68 Mike Schmidt TL
50 Don Mattingly TL
42 Ryan Ludwick DK
41 Kenny Lofton DK
40 Al Kaline DK
24 Robert Fick DK
23 Mark Ellis DK
20 J.D. Drew DK
19 Jorge DeLaRosa DK
2 Brandon Berger DK
9 Mark Buehrle DK