What would you consider the single greatest set from 2000 on?

[Ty Hope]

Simple question. Which set do you think stands out as the best of the last 12 years? Why?

Discuss!

 

[cubfanbudman]

For me it is 2005 TCUH. I just love this set with the red xfractors and black refractors

 

[James52411]

Tough call, but I'll go with 2001 Topps Heritage, because the base set was great and spawned one of Topps' main brands. Topps and Topps Heritage are the only two sets that a large number of collectors look to put together.

 

[Ty Hope]

I'm going to go with 2006 A&G myself. The first year it was out was AWESOME. Great checklist, clean design, perfect for TTM and IP, interesting gimmicks, etc.

 

[jbhofmann]

For me it is 2005 TCUH. I just love this set with the red xfractors and black refractors

Sticker autos.

On a side note, my first thought was 2001 Heritage.

 

[cubfanbudman]

Sticker autos.

On a side note, my first thought was 2001 Heritage.

They don't bother me like they do everyone else.

 

[George_Calfas]

2006 A&G Autos-Solid auto checklist and the first set
2005 Absolute-terrific patches across a wide range of players

 

[morgoth]

2001 Topps Heritage, try and find a hobby box at a reasonable price now.

 

[jpruitt2]

Tough call, but I'll go with 2001 Topps Heritage, because the base set was great and spawned one of Topps' main brands. Topps and Topps Heritage are the only two sets that a large number of collectors look to put together.

I agree with this. This set brought a lot of people back to collecting. The set was/is a challenge to put together with all the sp's. In my opinion the auto checklist is one of the best ever released. Also, this set is one of the very few that has held its value, and in the case of the auto's and the chrome's have increased in value over time.

 

[markakis8]

It's far from the greatest but it's definitely my favorite - 2006 Finest. I loved the idea of all the different refractors and xfractors. I wish they brought that back. 2009 Finest is close b/c they set looked so beautiful but it lacked the parallels the 2006 set had.

 

[csmtampa]

2000 Greats of the Game - Awesome autograph checklist and base set design

 

[Therion]

2004 Topps ATFF

On card autos. Great checklist. Surprise inclusions. A perfect example of Topps getting it right, killing it,and then bringing it back in a far inferior form.

 

[Pine Tar]

2006 A&G Autos-Solid auto checklist and the first set
2005 Absolute-terrific patches across a wide range of players

I agree here with George. I liked both of these sets. And they were my first full hobby boxes I bought too.

 

[gracecollector]

2005 Absolute. Could collect that 1 set for the rest of your life. The material is unparalleled.

 

[notjomommasclint]

2005 bowman chrome

The base set was gorgeous
The parallels just pop
The rookie class is amazing

 

[smapdi]

I would have to think about it some more to come to a considered decision, which I am sure everyone is waiting for, but 2001 Heritage also popped to my mind first. It had that certain something that made opening packs addictive, chasing SPs fun instead of frustrating, and just enough of the modern GU/auto/chrome parallel bells and whistles to interest people who don't build sets, and give completists a challenge. 2002 felt like a big letdown, and I barely remember 2003, but 2004 for some reason brought me back into it, though I've not gone heavy into it since. Still looking for a Magglio Ordonez Chrome, BTW.

A&G was attractive, but something about it never really compelled me to rip it. I have some of the 2006 SP autos, but I got bored with chasing them (or bored with paying $100+ each to build the set). I wish I had picked up a Tyson auto and Bruce Lee GU card at the time, though.

 

[HPC]

2001 Heritage was good, but 2001 Archives, IMO, was better

 

[MOFNY]

Another vote for 2005 Bowman Chrome. It had possibly the best designed refractors ever.
It was also boosted by the presence of terrific rookies.
2003 LCM is close behind despite sticker autos.

 

[katieneack]

2005 Absolute - unrivaled patches and great looking cards

2001 Leaf Certified Materials - the first year of the Fabric of the Game Memorabilia set. And the mirror cards were awesome parallels as well.

I loved 2003 Leaf Limited as well.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

For me it is 2005 TCUH. I just love this set with the red xfractors and black refractors

All three series of 2005 Topps Chrome was great, in part, because of the size of the set - 709 cards. Even regular/common players had a higher-end card.