After a few failed launches in the 90′s, Topps began releasing a Traded & Rookies set again in 2001.  This time it was a success, and Topps has followed up its flagship brand with a Traded & Rookies set in the hobby box format every year since.

2001 Topps Traded & Rookies promised 24 packs with 10 cards per pack, 2 Chrome cards in every pack, and a relic in every box.  This configuration, along with Albert Pujols’ rookie card being in the set, made this the most expensive hobby box that I have ever purchased.  I think I paid about $110 for it, which I still think was a good deal.  However, I’d be a little irked if I didn’t at least get an Albert Pujols rookie card out of this.

Let’s see if we can get some Pujols in the first at-bat:

1. #T29 David Segui
2. #T218 Noel Devarez (Rookie)
3. #T233 Luis Montanez (Rookie)
4. #T259 Aaron Heilman (Rookie)
5. #T264 Chris Smith (Rookie)
6. Gold #T163 Phil Dumatrait (Serial#0684/2001)
7. #T143 Sean Burroughs (Reprint)
8. #T100 Carlton Fisk (Reprint)
9. Topps Chrome Traded #T42 Hideo Nomo
10. Topps Chrome Traded #T125 Dennis Eckersley (Reprint)

…and 2001 Traded Checklist 2 of 2

I am officially and undeniably impressed with 2001 Topps Traded and Rookies.  If every pack is gonna be like this, I can’t wait to open up the rest.  My only complaint is that there are a lot of reprints that confuse the numbering of the set.  I also hate reprints.

The story behind (the card of) Phil Dumatrait:

“Phil has come so far, so fast that his performance ceiling is difficult to project.  As a high school senior in 1999, he was such a soft-tosser that he wasn’t even drafted.  But upon attending junior college, he suddently responded to arm-strength training so dramatically that his velocity increased 10-12 mph into the mid-90s.  That was enough to make him a first-rounder in ’00.  Dumatrait, who also has an outstanding curveball and an endearingly competitive demeanor, was lights out in the Gulf Coast League (R) that summer, allowing only three earned runs in a half-dozen starts.  And since he has plenty of room on his frame for extra weight and muscle, he could deveop into a rare power-lefty.“