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Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs in 1998 and 65 the following year. Given this absurd performance, it was fitting that Topps reprinted his 1985 Topps rookie card for its 2000 Topps releases. The base set features a base version of the depicted card while the Chrome set features both a chrome base and an incredibly elusive refractor that has a stated print run of just 70 copies to commemorate his record-breaking home run total. A Limited parallel of the base set version was issued in factory sets of 2000 Topps Limited, which was distributed in late September of 2000. What differentiates the Limited parallel from the base version is the statement “Limited Edition” printed in gold foil near the name plate. That and it contains a much smaller print run at just 4000, but doesn’t contain a stated serial number. The following is a rundown of information for each of the Mark McGwire rookie reprints.
Mark McGwire 2000 Topps 85 Reprints:
| Style | Print Run | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Base | – | 1:36 H/R S1; 1:8 HTA S1 |
| Limited | 4000 | 1/Factory Set |
| Chrome | – | 1:32 |
| Chrome Refractor | 70 | 1:12,116 |
Shop for 2000 Topps Mark McGwire Reprints
The Mark McGwire 2000 Topps Chrome Reprint Refractor is the unicorn. It was inserted into packs of 2000 Topps Chrome at a rate of 1 in 12,116 packs. Let’s break this down.
2000 Topps Chrome Composition:
| Figure | Content |
|---|---|
| 24 | Packs per box |
| $190 | SRP per box |
| 505 | Number of boxes required to pull the reprint refractor (if you can even find that many) |
| $95,950 | Amount required to buy 505 boxes of 2000 Topps Chrome |
The math indicates that Topps produced 35,339 boxes of 2000 Topps Chrome, which seems high to me, but I can’t argue with the numbers. That’s an argument I can’t win.
Before we get to the refractor, it’s worth mentioning that to pull just the base Chrome, you’d have to buy two boxes of 2000 Topps Chome, which would set you back a cool $380. Or you could just save your money and get one online for a few bucks.
Shop for 2000 Topps Mark McGwire Reprints
Okay, so what about the elusive refractor? Sure, the math states that for just shy of six figures, you too can have the Mark McGwire 2000 Topps Chrome Reprint Refractor. Got that? Okay, let’s get real here; that’s not how you’re likely to end up with this card. If you keep an eye out online, you’re more likely to eventually find one. Eventually…
I started looking for this card about 10 years ago and it wasn’t until this year that I saw one listed BIN/OBO at $1500. Granted, this one was a BGS 9.5, but still. No, I didn’t buy it. I wanted too, and a part of me wanted to believe it would sit there for a while, but an offer was accepted within a matter of days. When I saw that it had sold, I was a little sad, but grateful to have a somewhat better quality image than whatever I could find online. Just over two weeks later, a PSA 9 was listed and sold. How about that, the market is dry for 10 years, then suddenly two examples surface and sell within a month. The BGS 9.5 has somewhat better centering than the PSA 9, but given the rarity, who cares?
Refractor Sale Records:
| Example | Sold | Price | # of Bids |
|---|---|---|---|
| BGS 9.5 | July 4, 2025 | $1050 | Accepted Offer |
| PSA 9 | July 20, 2025 | $760.51 | 34 |
Yea, the Mark McGwire 2000 Topps Reprint Refractor is expensive, but still much less expensive than buying 505 boxes of 2000 Topps Chrome. And just think of how much time and space you’d save. What will you even do with all those base cards? What if you don’t pull it?! Save your time and money; shop online.
Shop for 2000 Topps Mark McGwire Reprints
