Below are the 5 most valuable 2010 Topps baseball cards from the base set and some bonus memorabilia.
2010 was an interesting time for sports cards. The industry was in steady decline and appeared to be on the fast track toward irrelevancy.
However, its meteoric comeback just a few years ago has given sets from the mid-to-late 2000s, including the 2010 Topps set, much more relevance and value.
Yankees fans in particular should be interested in this set, as it covers the 2009 MLB season, the last time the Yankees won the World Series.
5. Roger Maris 2010 Topps Baseball Card #175
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $150
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $50
The 2010 Topps set included cards of different legendary players such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, and Rogers Hornsby.
Although he wasn’t on the level of the previously mentioned players. Roger Maris’s #175 card is the most valuable legends card in the 2010 set. Much of the mystique about Maris centers around the 1961 season. Where he broke the single-season home run record held by Babe Ruth.
Maris and teammate Mickey Mantle were both vying for the record. With most Yankees fans rooting for Mantle to break the record instead. Maris finished the year with 61 home runs to Mantle’s 54, in a season that caused him great mental and physical stress but would ultimately define his career.
The #175 card pictures Maris kneeling at the on-deck circle, waiting for his at-bat.
4. Buster Posey Rookie Card Black Version #2
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $200
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $75
The most accomplished player from the 2010 rookie class, although Giancarlo Stanton may beg to differ.
Buster Posey became a key player on 3 championship teams with the San Francisco Giants. Playing a vital role as a catcher on the pitching-dominant Giants teams of the early to mid-2010s.
Posey was also a very good offensive player, finishing his career with a .302 batting average. He was a 7-time All-Star, 5-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and won the 2012 NL MVP award.
Although the Stephen Strasburg rookie card was initially the most desirable in this set. The Buster Posey rookie card has since claimed this status.
The black version of the card contains the same design and information as the base version of the card but displays a black border and background on the card’s front.
3. Alex Rodriguez “Pie in the Face” Variation(s) Card #400
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $250
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $75
During the 2009 season, the Yankees began a tradition of throwing a pie in the face of any player who got a walk-off hit to win a game.
The #400 “Pie in the Face” variation card shows Rodriguez in the aftermath of getting hit in the face with a pie.
Technically, there are two “Pie in the Face” variation cards of Rodriguez. One of him standing by himself and another of him standing next to a reporter.
2009 ended up being a great year for Rodriguez, who missed the first month of the season with a hip injury. He finished the year with a .286 batting average, .402 OBP, .and 933 OPS, all while hitting 30 home runs and driving in 100 RBIs.
More importantly, he had a great 2009 postseason. Getting many clutch hits for the Yankees and helping them win the World Series.
2. Tyler Colvin “Abe Lincoln” Variation Card #326
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $400
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $200
In one of the most unique variations styles in Topps history. An image of Abraham Lincoln was inserted into the background of a few different cards.
No, we are not making this up. For the #326 Tyler Colvin card, which is the most valuable Lincoln variation card in the set, he is pictured in the team dugout in the background during a Colvin at-bat.
Colvin himself was supposed to develop into a cornerstone player for the Cubs and ended up hitting 20 home runs in 135 games during the 2010 season.
However, injuries prevented him from ever reaching his potential, which was cut short after 6 seasons.
1. Buster Posey Rookie Card Gold Version #2
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $650
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $225
The 2nd Buster Posey rookie card on this list, and the most valuable of the 2010 Topps baseball card regular base set. The #2 gold version is a great addition to any collection.
It contains the same design as the base card, except that it contains a gold border, instead of a white one.
Unlike the black version of this card, which displays both a darkened border and frontal background. The border itself is the only portion of the card’s front which is designed differently.
Posey surprised the baseball world by retiring after the 2021 season, where he hit .304 with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs.
If he had amassed 2 to 3 more successful seasons, he probably would have ensured his place in the hall of fame. As it currently stands now, he probably has a 50-50 shot at being inducted.
Extra Memorabilia
Plenty of great memorabilia items are available from 2010 on sportsmemorabilia.com. Suitable for both high-end and budget collectors.
A 2010 MLB Futures Game baseball autographed by Mike Trout can be purchased for $2,063.99. The ball is also inscribed “1st Game at Angel Stadium” by Trout, as it marked the first of many times that he would end up playing there.
A 2010 All-Star commemorative baseball autographed by Andy Pettitte is available for $187.99.
3 different autographed, game-used baseballs from Bryce Harper’s minor league debut in the Fall League in 2010 are available, ranging in price from about $3000 to $4000.
Probably the best autographed baseball option is one signed by the 2010 NL All-Star team. With 32 different signatures including the late Roy Halladay, with an asking price of $983.99.
A Joey Votto game-used helmet retails for $7,977.99. With 2010 having special relevance for Votto as it was the season he won the NL MVP.
Finally, an autographed and game-used Josh Hamilton Rangers playoff jersey can be purchased for $7,403.99.
When I was just starting out with my card collection, I had lots of questions about authenticity, trading, and card conditions. But with not that much information available online, I felt quite alone in my queries. Some questions still haven’t been answered to this day.
This site aims to rectify this, and now, I am passing on my knowledge!
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