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1996 Topps Chrome Baseball Checklist, Team Set Lists and Details

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1996 Topps Chrome Baseball has become a landmark release. It may not have seemed like a big deal at the time, but the lasting impact is still felt today in all corners of the hobby.

The checklist has no major rookies. Going by pack odds, there aren’t any incredibly tough inserts. Autographs? Still sparse in the hobby at this point and nowhere to be found. Still, 1996 Topps Chrome Baseball helped lay the groundwork for one of the most important shifts in the industry — one that is still at the hobby forefront today.

1996 Topps Chrome Baseball Checklist Details

The base set has 165 cards, a slimmed down version of the 440 spread across two series in 1996 Topps Baseball. The design is the same and so are the photos. The big difference is found in the name – chrome. All cards come on chromium stock, giving them a metallic look and feel. At the time, this was considered premium with few sets ranking higher.

Matt Morris is the lone rookie card in the set.

One of the cornerstones of all things Topps Chrome is Refractor parallels. The massive rainbows of today are nowhere to be seen. All 165 cards have just one Refractor version. They’re not even serial numbered. Rather, they just are. Landing 1:12 packs or two per box, finding a top player has never been easy. Baseball was still very much recovering from the strike at this time and cards had certainly taken a hit. These have easily become the most valuable cards in 1996 Topps Chrome Baseball, particularly top names like Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr.

The checklist has just two additional insert sets. Master of the Game (20 cards, 1:12 packs) is a catch-all for capturing many of the game’s best at the time. Wrecking Crew (15 cards, 1:24 packs) is all about power hitters. Both sets also have Refractors that are three times as tough as their base versions.

Lasting Importance of 1996 Topps Chrome Baseball

1996 Topps Chrome Baseball wasn’t the sport’s first set to use chrome. That would be 1993 Topps Finest with 1994 Bowman’s Best following a year later. However, the approach here changed things. While Finest has always been its own thing, Topps Chrome offers an upscale version of the company’s flagship set. It would quickly expand into other sports and then broaden out to other brands like Bowman Chrome. Other companies have done similar approaches in the decades that followed. Donruss Optic and O-Pee-Chee Platinum are two such examples.

Topps Chrome also showed that there was room to expand chromium’s reach. What started with a few sets each year has grown into dozens across all sports. It has become a go-to style for all major manufacturers with each taking similar but tweaked approaches.

So while 1996 Topps Chrome Baseball might not be the most memorable release on its own, its impact has been unforgettable.

1996 Topps Chrome Baseball Checklist

Click on the links to shop for cards on eBay or to check current market values.

Set size: 165 cards
Cards per pack: Hobby – 4, Retail – 4
Packs per box: Hobby – 24, Retail – 20

Shop for 1996 Topps Chrome Baseball boxes and packs on eBay.

Checklist
Team Sets

1996 Topps Chrome Baseball Checklist Team Set Breakdown

Collect a certain team? Here’s the 1996 Topps Chrome Baseball checklist broken down so that you can easily track what every team has in the product.

Atlanta Braves

Base
3 Greg Maddux – Star Power
8 Tom Glavine – Star Power
18 Mark Wohlers
22 David Justice
47 Steve Avery
52 Chipper Jones – All-Star Rookie
59 John Smoltz
61 Ryan Klesko
105 Tom Glavine
117 Marquis Grissom
125 Greg Maddux
149 Javy Lopez
156 Fred McGriff

Master of the Game
MG19 Greg Maddux

Master of the Game Refractors
MG19 Greg Maddux

Refractors
3 Greg Maddux – Star Power
8 Tom Glavine – Star Power
18 Mark Wohlers
22 David Justice
47 Steve Avery
52 Chipper Jones – All-Star Rookie
59 John Smoltz
61 Ryan Klesko
105 Tom Glavine
117 Marquis Grissom
125 Greg Maddux
149 Javy Lopez
156 Fred McGriff

Wrecking Crew
WC10 Fred McGriff

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC10 Fred McGriff

Baltimore Orioles

Base 23 Mike Mussina
28 Cal Ripken Jr. – 2131
67 Cal Ripken Jr.
82 Cal Ripken Jr. – Star Power
88 Mike Mussina – Star Power
102 Brady Anderson
131 Bobby Bonilla
142 Rick Krivda – Now Appearing
143 Jimmy Haynes – Now Appearing
158 Rafael Palmeiro

Master of the Game
MG9 Cal Ripken Jr.

Master of the Game Refractors
MG9 Cal Ripken Jr.

Refractors
23 Mike Mussina
28 Cal Ripken Jr. – 2131
67 Cal Ripken Jr.
82 Cal Ripken Jr. – Star Power
88 Mike Mussina – Star Power
102 Brady Anderson
131 Bobby Bonilla
142 Rick Krivda – Now Appearing
143 Jimmy Haynes – Now Appearing
158 Rafael Palmeiro

Boston Red Sox

Base
46 John Valentin
65 Roger Clemens
73 Nomar Garciaparra – Future Star
110 Mo Vaughn
139 Jeff Suppan – Now Appearing
146 Jose Canseco

Master of the Game
MG17 Roger Clemens

Master of the Game Refractors
MG17 Roger Clemens

Refractors
46 John Valentin
65 Roger Clemens
73 Nomar Garciaparra – Future Star
110 Mo Vaughn
139 Jeff Suppan – Now Appearing
146 Jose Canseco

Wrecking Crew
WC4 Jose Canseco
WC14 Mo Vaughn

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC4 Jose Canseco
WC14 Mo Vaughn

California Angels

Base
16 Troy Percival
21 J.T. Snow
36 Garret Anderson – All-Star Rookie
50 Jim Edmonds
75 Todd Greene – Future Star
98 Lee Smith
113 Chili Davis
126 Tim Salmon

Master of the Game
MG8 Lee Smith
MG10 Chili Davis

Master of the Game Refractors
MG8 Lee Smith
MG10 Chili Davis

Refractors
16 Troy Percival
21 J.T. Snow
36 Garret Anderson – All-Star Rookie
50 Jim Edmonds
75 Todd Greene – Future Star
98 Lee Smith
113 Chili Davis
126 Tim Salmon

Chicago Cubs

Base
20 Mark Grace
55 Brian McRae
66 Randy Myers
99 Sammy Sosa
136 Brooks Kieschnick – Now Appearing
144 Ryne Sandberg
160 Shawon Dunston

Refractors
20 Mark Grace
55 Brian McRae
66 Randy Myers
99 Sammy Sosa
136 Brooks Kieschnick – Now Appearing
144 Ryne Sandberg
160 Shawon Dunston

Chicago White Sox

Base
29 Frank Thomas
62 Alex Fernandez
89 Frank Thomas – Star Power
124 Robin Ventura
137 Chris Snopek – Now Appearing

Master of the Game
MG7 Tim Raines
MG20 Frank Thomas

Master of the Game Refractors
MG7 Tim Raines
MG20 Frank Thomas

Refractors
29 Frank Thomas
62 Alex Fernandez
89 Frank Thomas – Star Power
124 Robin Ventura
137 Chris Snopek – Now Appearing

Wrecking Crew
WC13 Frank Thomas

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC13 Frank Thomas

Cincinnati Reds

Base
6 Barry Larkin – Star Power
25 Ron Gant
116 Barry Larkin
132 Reggie Sanders

Refractors
6 Barry Larkin – Star Power
25 Ron Gant
116 Barry Larkin
132 Reggie Sanders

Wrecking Crew
WC7 Ron Gant

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC7 Ron Gant

Cleveland Indians

Base
17 Albert Belle
26 Carlos Baerga
34 Eddie Murray
83 Albert Belle – Star Power
86 Carlos Baerga – Star Power
91 Jose Mesa – Star Power
100 Jim Thome
111 Jose Mesa
161 Manny Ramirez
164 Kenny Lofton

Master of the Game
MG2 Dennis Martinez
MG3 Eddie Murray

Master of the Game Refractors
MG2 Dennis Martinez
MG3 Eddie Murray

Refractors
17 Albert Belle
26 Carlos Baerga
34 Eddie Murray
83 Albert Belle – Star Power
86 Carlos Baerga – Star Power
91 Jose Mesa – Star Power
100 Jim Thome
111 Jose Mesa
161 Manny Ramirez
164 Kenny Lofton

Wrecking Crew
WC2 Albert Belle

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC2 Albert Belle

Colorado Rockies

Base
5 Larry Walker – Star Power
13 Todd Helton – Draft Picks
58 Vinny Castilla
63 Dante Bichette
96 Andres Galarraga
147 Larry Walker

Master of the Game
MG14 Bret Saberhagen

Master of the Game Refractors
MG14 Bret Saberhagen

Refractors
5 Larry Walker – Star Power
13 Todd Helton – Draft Picks
58 Vinny Castilla
63 Dante Bichette
96 Andres Galarraga
147 Larry Walker

Detroit Tigers

Base
60 Travis Fryman
157 Cecil Fielder

Refractors
60 Travis Fryman
157 Cecil Fielder

Wrecking Crew
WC6 Cecil Fielder

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC6 Cecil Fielder

Florida Marlins

Base
27 Gary Sheffield
40 Quilvio Veras
165 Jeff Conine

Refractors
27 Gary Sheffield
40 Quilvio Veras
165 Jeff Conine

Houston Astros

Base
4 Jeff Bagwell – Star Power
9 Craig Biggio – Star Power
45 Derek Bell
49 Shane Reynolds
74 Billy Wagner – Future Star
108 Brian Hunter
122 Craig Biggio
153 Jeff Bagwell

Refractors
4 Jeff Bagwell – Star Power
9 Craig Biggio – Star Power
45 Derek Bell
49 Shane Reynolds
74 Billy Wagner – Future Star
108 Brian Hunter
122 Craig Biggio
153 Jeff Bagwell

Wrecking Crew
WC1 Jeff Bagwell

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC1 Jeff Bagwell

Kansas City Royals

Base
77 Johnny Damon – Future Star
148 Kevin Appier
155 Wally Joyner

Refractors
77 Johnny Damon – Future Star
148 Kevin Appier
155 Wally Joyner

Los Angeles Dodgers

Base
2 Mike Piazza – Star Power
37 Hideo Nomo – All-Star Rookie
51 Raul Mondesi
64 Eric Karros
71 Ramon Martinez
79 Karim Garcia – Future Star
93 Mike Piazza
112 Brett Butler
128 Ismael Valdes

Refractors
2 Mike Piazza – Star Power
37 Hideo Nomo – All-Star Rookie
51 Raul Mondesi
64 Eric Karros
71 Ramon Martinez
79 Karim Garcia – Future Star
93 Mike Piazza
112 Brett Butler
128 Ismael Valdes

Wrecking Crew
WC12 Mike Piazza

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC12 Mike Piazza

Milwaukee Brewers

Base
30 Kevin Seitzer
42 Greg Vaughn
134 Mark Loretta – Now Appearing

Refractors
30 Kevin Seitzer
42 Greg Vaughn
134 Mark Loretta – Now Appearing

Minnesota Twins

Base
19 Kirby Puckett
57 Marty Cordova – All-Star Rookie
81 Kirby Puckett – Star Power
95 Chuck Knoblauch

Master of the Game
MG15 Kirby Puckett

Master of the Game Refractors
MG15 Kirby Puckett

Refractors
19 Kirby Puckett
57 Marty Cordova – All-Star Rookie
81 Kirby Puckett – Star Power
95 Chuck Knoblauch

Montreal Expos

Base
44 David Segui
121 Pedro Martinez
123 Moises Alou
154 Rondell White

Refractors
44 David Segui
121 Pedro Martinez
123 Moises Alou
154 Rondell White

New York Mets

Base
76 Paul Wilson – Future Star
103 Rico Brogna
133 Alex Ochoa – Now Appearing
141 Jay Payton – Now Appearing
151 Jason Isringhausen

Refractors
76 Paul Wilson – Future Star
103 Rico Brogna
133 Alex Ochoa – Now Appearing
141 Jay Payton – Now Appearing
151 Jason Isringhausen

New York Yankees

Base
7 Mickey Mantle
24 Bernie Williams
33 David Cone
56 Don Mattingly
69 Jack McDowell
80 Derek Jeter – Future Star
85 Wade Boggs – Star Power
114 Paul O’Neill
127 Wade Boggs
138 Ruben Rivera – Now Appearing

Master of the Game
MG11 Wade Boggs
MG13 Don Mattingly

Master of the Game Refractors
MG11 Wade Boggs
MG13 Don Mattingly

Refractors
7 Mickey Mantle
24 Bernie Williams
33 David Cone
56 Don Mattingly
69 Jack McDowell
80 Derek Jeter – Future Star
85 Wade Boggs – Star Power
114 Paul O’Neill
127 Wade Boggs
138 Ruben Rivera – Now Appearing

Oakland Athletics

Base
41 Mark McGwire
72 Jason Giambi
107 Terry Steinbach
140 John Wasdin – Now Appearing
150 Dennis Eckersley
159 Rickey Henderson

Master of the Game
MG1 Dennis Eckersley
MG6 Rickey Henderson

Master of the Game Refractors
MG1 Dennis Eckersley
MG6 Rickey Henderson

Refractors
41 Mark McGwire
72 Jason Giambi
107 Terry Steinbach
140 John Wasdin – Now Appearing
150 Dennis Eckersley
159 Rickey Henderson

Wrecking Crew
WC11 Mark McGwire

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC11 Mark McGwire

Philadelphia Phillies

Base
11 Heathcliff Slocumb – Star Power
53 Gregg Jefferies
104 Lenny Dykstra

Refractors
11 Heathcliff Slocumb – Star Power
53 Gregg Jefferies
104 Lenny Dykstra

Pittsburgh Pirates

Base
32 Jeff King
135 Jason Kendall – Now Appearing

Refractors
32 Jeff King
135 Jason Kendall – Now Appearing

San Diego Padres

Base
1 Tony Gwynn – Star Power
38 Steve Finley
54 Ken Caminiti
97 Tony Gwynn

Master of the Game
MG12 Tony Gwynn

Master of the Game Refractors
MG12 Tony Gwynn

Refractors
1 Tony Gwynn – Star Power
38 Steve Finley
54 Ken Caminiti
97 Tony Gwynn

San Francisco Giants

Base
10 Barry Bonds – Star Power
12 Matt Williams – Star Power
15 Glenallen Hill
68 Rod Beck
119 Barry Bonds
145 Matt Williams

Master of the Game
MG18 Barry Bonds

Master of the Game Refractors
MG18 Barry Bonds

Refractors
10 Barry Bonds – Star Power
12 Matt Williams – Star Power
15 Glenallen Hill
68 Rod Beck
119 Barry Bonds
145 Matt Williams

Wrecking Crew
WC3 Barry Bonds
WC15 Matt Williams

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC3 Barry Bonds
WC15 Matt Williams

Seattle Mariners

Base
43 Randy Johnson
48 Tino Martinez
70 Ken Griffey Jr.
84 Randy Johnson – Star Power
90 Ken Griffey Jr. – Star Power
94 Edgar Martinez
109 Jay Buhner

Refractors
43 Randy Johnson
48 Tino Martinez
70 Ken Griffey Jr.
84 Randy Johnson – Star Power
90 Ken Griffey Jr. – Star Power
94 Edgar Martinez
109 Jay Buhner

Wrecking Crew
WC9 Ken Griffey Jr.

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC9 Ken Griffey Jr.

St. Louis Cardinals

Base
35 Brian Jordan
78 Alan Benes – Future Star
92 Matt Morris – Draft Picks RC
101 Bernard Gilkey
120 Ozzie Smith
130 Ray Lankford

Master of the Game
MG5 Ozzie Smith

Master of the Game Refractors
MG5 Ozzie Smith

Refractors
35 Brian Jordan
78 Alan Benes – Future Star
92 Matt Morris – Draft Picks
101 Bernard Gilkey
120 Ozzie Smith
130 Ray Lankford

Texas Rangers

Base
39 Ivan Rodriguez
87 Ivan Rodriguez – Star Power
118 Will Clark
129 Juan Gonzalez
152 Dean Palmer

Refractors
39 Ivan Rodriguez
87 Ivan Rodriguez – Star Power
118 Will Clark
129 Juan Gonzalez
152 Dean Palmer

Wrecking Crew
WC8 Juan Gonzalez

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC8 Juan Gonzalez

Toronto Blue Jays

Base 14 Paul Molitor
31 Joe Carter
106 John Olerud
115 Roberto Alomar
162 Alex Gonzalez
163 Shawn Green – All-Star Rookie

Master of the Game
MG4 Paul Molitor
MG16 Joe Carter

Master of the Game Refractors
MG4 Paul Molitor
MG16 Joe Carter

Refractors
14 Paul Molitor
31 Joe Carter
106 John Olerud
115 Roberto Alomar
162 Alex Gonzalez
163 Shawn Green – All-Star Rookie

Wrecking Crew
WC5 Joe Carter

Wrecking Crew Refractors
WC5 Joe Carter

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