Regardless, these cards will always hold a special place in the hobby and some of them are surprisingly still worth quite a bit. Finishing his legendary career in the city where it started, Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Hank Aaron had a disappointing statistical season by his lofty standards in 1976. Joe Torre's long list of accomplishments as a player is often overlooked in favor of his managerial exploits, but that's honestly a shame. But it was still in decent order, and came in a protective clear plastic case. Let's be clear: most of the cards from this set do not have any value these days. The bad news was the 183 walks that Ryan issued, making it the fourth time in five years that he paced baseball in free passes. $7,500, but the seller accepted a lower offer. It sold for a staggering $13,000. Donrusss Canadian counterpart, Leaf, produced rated rookie cards for McGwire as well. 1980 Topps George Brett Card. Of the 19,386 submitted to PSA to date, only 621 have even received a PSA 9 grade, with a mere 21 coming back with the vaunted PSA 10 gem mint grade. There are two versions of this card: the regular base version as well as the higher end Tiffany version that was printed on premium cardboard and distributed in a limited Classic produced two blister pack sets in 1989 that each featured Ken Griffey Jr. inside. Despite hitting .322/.390/.511 with 34 doubles, 18 home runs and 93 RBI at Single-A in 1996, only the Fleer company had the foresight to put David Ortiz in its 1997 products, meaning the 1997 Fleer and premium 1997 Ultra sets contain the only two rookie cards of one of the marquee players of his generation. And well tell you just what it was that meant they commanded such a high price. And if you know anything about the controversy surrounding the Billy Ripken card in this set, you'll realize this is the only set in which Griffey's card isn't the major highlight. In 1970, Cubs manager Leo Durocher relegated Banks to a backup role for the first time in "Mr. Cub's" career. Top 29 Most Valuable 1980 Topps Baseball Cards In the World: Price List. For most modern baseball cards to be really valuable, they need to have something special about them. Many of them have been found touched up with black marker to try and conceal edge and/or corner wear to the unsuspecting buyer. Fingers started eight games in the first month-and-a-half, going just 1-3 despite flashes of nasty stuff. In 1970, Minnesota Twins righty Bert Blyleven headed into the offseason after his rookie campaign as a two-pitch pitcher. The cards in this set aren't as glossy as those of the 1955 set. 2003 Topps Total Baseball Card Values. 4. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. Topps released this unusual test issue in 1989 that is a die-cut Griffey Jr. head that was meant to be stuck to a flat surface of your choice for display. Therefore a gem mint condition pops up a lot more often than some other cards from the era. Simply put, this is the hobby's most iconic card so we will allow it as the only card on the list mentioned twice. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? It was in mint condition when it came to the market in 2022, protected by a sealed plastic case. The most valuable Jerome Bettis rookie card is the 1993 SP Foil Jerome Bettis rookie card #6 and the 1993 Pinnacle Rookies Jerome Bettis rookie card #7. Its a very highly sought-after card but it seems to hold its condition a lot better. This card, number 183 in Paninis Prizm series, was released in 2013. Sure, there are others that are more expensive, but this card helped define an era of card collecting craziness during the late 1980's. With the death of the reserve clause and the opening salvos of free agency, Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley traded Jackson (and star pitcher Ken Holtzman) seven days before Opening Day. Though the Yankees stumbled to an 82-80 record, 21 games out of first in the AL East, Munson was a bright spot for a young core that paid dividends late in the decade. The arrivals of Joe Morgan and Cesar Geronimo breathed life into the Big Red Machine the following offseason, though, and all the struggles of the 1971 campaign would be a distant memory before long. If I had to form the perfect lineup in history, I'd probably want this guy to be my leadoff hitter. As the Reds unseated the Oakland A's at the top of the baseball mountain, Bench also dealt with a very bright public spotlight on what ended up as a doomed marriage. The one featuring both Ken Griffey Jr and Mickey Mantle, with autographs from both players? The current record price is the US$12.600 million paid for a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card ( Topps ; #311) on August 28, 2022, breaking all previous records. Yet, Miller stepped forward and reestablished himself as an essential piece of the team's roster puzzle. Playing injured for most of the season, Bench followed up his 1970 NL MVP campaign with an offensive performance to forget. Like the 1992 Donruss, Fleer, Pinnacle, Topps, Ultra, and Upper Deck sets, large print runs saturated the market with these cards, driving down their values.. 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany #50T. It's fitting, then, that his last MLB at-bat ended with an RBI. So there you have it, the ten most valuable 1979 Topps baseball cards. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC. One T206 Honus Wagner card was sold at auction in May 2021 for $3,750,000. The reverse of the card gives some interesting projections for his different rookie cards and even shows an image of his Donruss rookie in the upper right corner. Donruss wasn't the only mainstream card company in 1985 to have a Canadian cousin churning out cards for the Canadian market. This example, on the other hand, was produced in a super-short run of 24 cards. It started with baseball cards, but now there's a market for all sports cards. Thats because it was printed in a run of only 25 cards. Throughout the 726-card checklist, you'll find lots of color, lots of action, and lots of star power. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. After a slow start to his minor league career, he put together a breakout season at High-A in 1991, hitting .277/.344/.540 with 27 doubles, 29 home runs and 80 RBI in 117 games. This 1996 baseball card was from Pinnacles Skyline series. The 1990 Leaf set is one of the iconic releases of the Junk Wax Era, produced by Donruss as a premium product to compete with Upper Deck. Eric Davis broke out in 1986 and finished 12th in MVP voting after hitting 27 home runs, driving in 71 runs, and scoring 97 runs. The New York Yankees signed 20-year-old Mariano Rivera out of Panama on Feb. 17, 1990, and he allowed just 17 hits and one earned run with 58 strikeouts in 52 innings in his pro debut at the rookie ball level later that year. While Mays was fantastic in his mentoring role, he also added to that on-field legacy in 1971 by stunningly retooling his approach. Chicago Cubs right-hander (and pitching Ironman) Ferguson Jenkins took home 17 first-place votes to Seaver's six, winning the award in large part thanks to his MLB-best win (24) and complete game totals (30). The card itself wasnt graded, however perhaps because it was in less than pristine condition. The fact that there are only two of them has helped increase demand, with the 1995 Bowman and 1995 Bowman's Best sets containing his only rookies. He later credited the perceived betrayal on the Mets part as a turning point in his career. Its importance to the hobby cannot be understated and it's arguable that this is the most important modern baseball card you can find. For his efforts, Aaron earned his 17th-straight All-Star Game selection and a third-place finish in the National League's MVP voting. I have a Topps 40 Years Of Baseball All Star #790. But it still might be surprising why his 1986 Topps card in PSA 10 condition may be worth more than guys like Nolan Ryan and Rickey Henderson. Most Valuable Baseball Cards of the 80s and 90s. It's not quite as valuable as his "Rated Rookie" but still has decent value in top condition. But, bigger and better things were on the way for Oakland and the future Mr. October. On the shortlist of the best all-around third basemen in baseball history, Philadelphia Phillies legend Mike Schmidt had a banner year in 1976. While his card is tough to find in PSA 8 condition, the fact that he was one of the most popular Yankees of his era also gives the card a boost in value. He also led the Majors in WHIP (0.946), strikeouts per 9 innings pitched (9.1), ERA+ (194), and FIP (1.93). Ahead, we've taken a closer look at the 10 most valuable rookie cards of the 1990s. Regan would play one more year in the Majors before hanging it up after the 1972 season. Boots Day spent six years in the Majors, playing the first two seasons in a limited role with the Cardinals and Cubs before landing with the Expos, where his playing time increased substantially. In the postseason, the Reds swept through the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees to complete what is still the only undefeated playoff run of the divisional era. Nor was 1986 a significant year for the Cincinnati Reds. 3. And you thought 2000 Donruss Footballs 100 Rookie Cards at 1,325 copies each was tough. Mickey Mantle (left) and LeBron James (right) are the subjects of some of the most valuable unique sports cards ever sold This is a list of the highest known prices paid for sports cards . The lot attracted over 50 bids and achieved a final price of $2,500. Yet, each of those blasts was an event, including the final one, a crushed hanging slider by California Angels reliever Dick Drago on July 20th, which brought the Aaron career home run counter to 755. Tony Adame. It was sold via an online auction in 2022 for $8,600. And on May 30th, he passed Stan Musial to become baseball's all-time leading run-scorer at 1,950. Speaking of great hitters, next on our list is the game's all-time hits leader: Pete Rose. Most Valuable Basketball Cards During the 1990s(Non-Kobe) In the event we didnt cut Kobe Bryant at 2, we would have a list packed full of. He also finished first in the AL with a 3.80 strikeouts-to-walk ratio and fourth in strikeouts (224). To this day, those two cards and the entire 1971 Topps set are some of my favorites. But, Eckersley's mere presence on the bump was a reason for optimism for Cleveland's beleaguered faithful. Brooks Robinson was the storyline coming out of the 1970 World Series after dominating with his bat and his glove at third base to earn Series MVP honors in the Orioles five-game victory over the Reds. After the Expos acquired Willie Davis from the Dodgers in 1974, Day lost his center field job and eventually found himself in the Minors, where he would play until 1980. And they chose wisely in making Griffey Jr. card #1 in the set. Heading into Spring Training, Oliva was well aware that his days as an everyday player were probably over. Although, 1986 Topps baseball cards weren't necessarily my favorites as a kid, the nostalgia surrounding them has really grown on me in recent times. It shows Ken Griffey Jr with his bat over his shoulder and sporting a scar on his left elbow. Top 11 Wide Receiver Rookie Cards. But in this case, Ken Griffey Jr doesnt share the limelight with anyone else. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He also established career-highs in batting average (.333) and slugging percentage (.543), with his career-highs in OBP (.427), OPS (.969), and OPS+ (181) being tops in the league. Like other premium versions from the other manufacturers, these cards are easily distinguished from their base versions by the glossy, sharper card stock. Offered for sale at $2,500, the seller accepted a lower offer. And both sportsmen have signed the card. So, for the cards on this list to be worth much, they'll have to be graded by PSA to be in perfect, gem mint condition. The three-time batting champion always seemed a lock to hit over .300 and he was always a tough out. Bo Jackson washuge when I was a kid and his popularity is still quite high to this day. It was clear that he would be a superstar for years to come. He continued to impress at Single-A the following year, and that was enough to earn him a spot on the 1992 Bowman checklist. His control remained in need of polishing, as he hit a career-worst 15 batters with pitches and walked a career-worst 6.9 batters per 9 innings. The shock factor isn't quite as strong in this case compared to Eric Davis, however. A dynamic power-speed threat early in his career, he eventually settled in as more of a middle-of-the-order run producer. The 1977 MLB Rookie of the Year, Topps recognized Murray as one of their "All-Star After leading Major League Baseball in strikeouts every season from 1972-74, the Ryan Express rolled back to the top of the leaderboard in 1976 with 327. Donruss also had a Rookies set in 1987 and McGwire was card #1 on the list. Yet, Ryan's pitching performances were must-see stuff due to their all-or-nothing nature. With 10,886 PSA 9 and 3,857 PSA 10 in circulation, it's not hard to find a high-grade version, but they still sell for a premium as an iconic card of one of the decade's biggest stars. When he burst onto the scene, his rookie cards were among the hottest sellers in the entire hobby. Well, in that case it achieved $8,600 in spite of suffering from an obvious scuff. It was issued as a short print run, designed to appeal to collectors. Aaron, a natural run-producer with a clutch gene, also ended his 23-year career as the game's all-time RBI leader with 2,297, a mark that may never be eclipsed. 2003 Topps Base Set Baseball Card Values. In top condition they can still go for over $500. A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, graded as PSA 9 on a scale of 1 (worst) to 10 (best), sold for $2,880,000 in 2018. most valuable piece of 1972 would be yet another watershed year for the Reds backstop, culminating in his 2nd NL MVP award in three seasons. With nearly 2,000 graded in top condition by PSA, but with a valuation of around $3,000 its clearly one of the most valuable football cards of the 1980s. However, throughout the 1976 season, Bench played through severe cramps in his back. Based on our research, this is the nicest looking 1952 Topps Mantle PSA So, he decided to be more patient at the dish, and it paid off with NL-best marks in on-base percentage (.425) and walks (112), both career highs. But what makes this one special is the color of his baseball cap. On the front is a photograph of Ken taking a swing, together with a three-color patch part of a game-used kit. Brett was electric in his first postseason, hitting .444 and slugging an insane .778 to pace the K.C. Check prices on: Amazon Although many consider the 1985 Topps to be the true Mark McGwire rookie card, many others consider his 1987 issues to be rookies as well since they were the first to feature him in an A's uniform.. Whatever your opinion may be, McGwire's 1987 Topps card has The following season, he moved past Babe Ruth to set the record for RBI when he drove in the 2,210th run of his career during a game against the Tigers on May 1, 1975. And, I think this is true for many collectors these days Back in the day, many collectors didn't care for the design and the set lacked the rookie card power that others in the 1980's had. However, come 1976, Miller's role once again increased due to nagging injuries suffered by Lynn. It wasnt the most productive swan song on the field, but Olivas tutelage and team-oriented mindset helped the Twins finish with a very respectable 86-76 record. Over a career spanning 21 years with three different teams, switch-hitting Hall of Famer Ted Simmons established himself as one of the greatest hitting catchers in MLB history. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? Brett won the crown thanks to a controversial inside-the-park home run in Game 162, finishing with a .333 average to McRae's .332. The A's bowed out of the postseason quickly, but they had found their closer for the next 15 years. The purple shade is very rare which of course makes it very valuable. Estimated Tiffany PSA 10 Value: $2,250. Check Prices On: Amazon First on our list is Bo Jackson's 1986 Topps Traded rookie card.. It was the franchise's first title of any kind since capturing the 1931 American League pennant as the Philadelphia Athletics. The 25-year-old right fielder bounced back from a down season in 1970 to secure his second of 14 All-Star Game selections. And each one was signed by Ken Griffey Jr. And even with the rarest of cards, condition is all-important. The future Hall-of-Famer added an off-speed pitch to his fastball and game-changing curveball, prompting pitching coach Marv Grissom's compliment that he was the "most coachable pitcher" Grissom had ever coached. It comes in its own transparent plastic case for safe keeping. Top 12 Running Back Rookie Cards. But, nowadays, it seems like collectors are becoming quite forgiving to this set and are snatching up PSA 10 examples these cards for hundreds of dollars in some cases. If that were not enough, the card also features the autographs of each player. His enduring popularity for a major market team, legendary career, and the fact that it's his only true rookie card have helped make this one of the most valuable raw cards of the 1990s, with ungraded versions regularly topping $100. McGwire made it into Fleers Update set in 1987 and is shown following through on a swing with a bright smile on his face. 1. But by 1976, his knee issues were proving too much for him to even slot into that role daily. but he was shelled to the tune of a 10.64 ERA in 67.2 innings in 2000. And in Game 2 of the 1971 World Series, Robinson reached base five times in Baltimores convincing 11-3 win over the Pirates. It remains to be seen if Major League Baseball will ever allow stars from that era in the Hall of Fame. This striking design (pardon the pun!) Nevertheless, the autographs made this an important card for collectors. Aaron appeared in just 85 games for the 66-96 Brewers, hitting a career-low ten home runs in 271 at-bats. The card showed signs of age, looking less crisp around the edges than many of those on this list. The checklist also contains rookie cards of Jeff Kent and Tim Wakefield. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. And they did it in the sweetest of fashions, holding off a late-season surge by the former Kansas City tenants to bring home the franchise's first division title in its eight-year history. With public opinion on his side, Rose eventually scored a two-year deal for $752,000 total, over $300,000 more than the Reds had initially offered for the same contract length. 1986 was actually Dawson's last with the Montreal Expos before he was traded to the Cubs in 1987 when he had his monster MVP season. Since most collectors in this hobby tend to draw the line on the "vintage era" at 1980, many consider the Rickey Henderson rookie card to be the last big-name vintage rookie.. And while its value pales in comparison to other big-name vintage rookies like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, This particular example was also in mint condition when it was offered for sale online in 2022. Yes, he may be famous for speaking in the third person but he's also incredibly famous for his production on the field. If it hadn't been for the World Series, it would have been really bad for me that year, mentally and as a player.". The 1986 Topps Traded Bo Jackson rookie card is his most desirable and most expensive card you can find. It features both Ken Griffey Jr and Micky Mantle. This is probably the most recognizable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card of them all. In recent years, this card has soared to become one of the most valuable baseball cards of the 1980s. 1980 Topps Strikeout Nolan Ryan Card. The three-time NL Manager of the Year (1993, 1997, 2000) is one of only six managers to have reached the playoffs ten times and the only manager to have led five different teams to the postseason. This set was a monster and contained a 792 card checklist in total. But Topps took a different design approach for the USA Olympic Team subset, cards number #389 to #404. Heres a look at the most sought-after rookie cards of 10 such players. In fact, his production at the plate was down across the board as he hit just five home runs, scored 60 runs and drove in 75 RBI with an uncharacteristic .291/.371/.394 slash line. It's a question that seems to pop up year after year Last but not least, we have one of my favorite players ever: Rickey Henderson. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? For the Olympic Team cards, Topps featured a baseball in the upper left corner with USA in bold alongside a titled banner that reads 1984 United States Baseball Team. So, for the cards on this list to be worth much, they'll either have to be graded by PSA to be in perfect, gem mint condition. After splitting time between the starting rotation and bullpen in 1970, Fingers opened the 1971 campaign in the rotation for new manager Dick Williams. The card and its description might have looked humble but this was a rare item. After a classic five-game American League Championship Series showdown with the New York Yankees, the Royals were ultimately bounced in their playoff debut. Some of the possible players to look for are Nolan Ryan, Pete Rose, Chipper Jones, Frank Thomas, George Brett, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr. and many other hall of famers and superstars. A few years ago, you could find these in PSA 10 condition for less than $50. After spending the offseason in his native Puerto Rico managing the San Juan Senadores, Roberto Clemente returned to Pittsburgh determined and invigorated ahead of the 1971 MLB season. He did lead the league in intentional walks (19) for this first of consecutive seasons, so opposing pitchers still obviously respected him. 11) 1988 Topps Mike Schmidt (#600) Schmidt hit 30 home runs (actually, 35) for the last time in 1987, and Topps chose to celebrate by putting his hair on backwards. He returned in August, appearing in just six games before the season's end for the AL East champs. And in this guide, I'll run through the 15 most valuable to look for. Judging by his statistics with the Olympic team, it wasn't his best outing. 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson Rookie Card. Like the 1986 Donruss and Fleer sets, far too many of them were printed and the market is over-saturated with them. Although he went on an early-season tear and became the first MLB player to hit home runs in the first four games of a season, Mays knew he wasn't the same power hitter he used to be. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. Like the 1992 Donruss, Fleer, Score, Topps and Upper Deck sets, large print runs saturated the market with these cards, driving down their values.. From May 8th through the 13th, Brett collected at least three hits in six consecutive contests, tying a Major League Baseball record. His twelve-year career was highlighted by the 1966 season in which he made his only appearance in the All-Star Game as a member of the Houston Colt .45s. 1976 Topps #98 Dennis Eckersley Rookie Card. McGwire was one of the most popular players playing for one of the most powerful teams in baseball. If there is a face to football cards, this is probably it. Hyped as a generational talent and future superstar from the moment he was taken No. While the rest of Minnesota's pitching staff flailed en route to the second-worst earned run average in the American League (3.81), Blyleven was a diamond in the rough with a 2.81 ERA, good enough for the fifth-best mark in the American League. Within the set were also several different subsets, including: While the hobby may not hold this set in as high of a regard as others from the vintage era, I still think it packs a good punch. Entering his first full season as the San Francisco Giants manager, Charlie Fox tabbed 40-year-old superstar Willie Mays as a player/coach to help instruct the team's young outfielders. By the time the auction finished, it had garnered over 30 bids. The seller was a former employee of one of the four stores in Montgomery County where the test cards were released. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! Well, in 1989, Bowman used a similar style in its subset of four cards that featured fathers and sons who both played in the Majors. 1989 Topps Traded #83T Barry Sanders Rookie Card. While it is certainly the most valuable jersey card on the market, it may well be the most significant. And, if you're lucky to land any of them in high grade, you've obviously got a lot of value on your hands. Many sports lovers enjoy collecting memorabilia. Banks played in just 39 games, batting .193 with three home runs and six RBI in 92 plate appearances (83 at-bats). That means it meets one of the key criteria for baseball cards of Griffey or any player to grow in value: scarcity. 1987 Topps #366 Mark McGwire Rookie Card. Most Valuable Frank Thomas Cards . Before we get started, I do want to make it clear that most of the cards from this set do not have any value these days. But hobbyists still chase his 1985 Topps and Topps Tiffany card and consider it his most valuable and sought after of all his rookies. And the most valuable ones can be worth millions of dollars. Just under a year before one of the worst trades in New York Mets history, future Hall-of-Famer Nolan Ryan was happy as could be under Tom Seavers learning tree. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 15 Most Valuable Ken Griffey Jr Baseball Cards Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Vintage Avon Bottles Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Atlas Mason Jars Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Vintage Marbles Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Vintage Planters Peanut Jar Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Lladro Figurines Worth Money, 19 Most Valuable Charizard Pokmon Cards Worth Money, 15 Most Valuable Antique Teapots Worth Money, 18 Most Valuable Sterling Silver Flatware Worth Money, Benrus Watch Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Blue Willow China Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Car Blue Book (Car Value & Identificatiron), Old Buttons Value (Identification & Price Guides), Skeleton Key Value (Identification & Price Guides). A 1985 Topps Tiffany Mark McGwire rookie card can sell for thousands of dollars After all, most people think that baseball cards printed in the 1980's are worthless Well, this is clearly one of the exceptions. A young Griffey Jr. poses with a rather serious look, kneeling in his Mariners uniform. His work behind the plate was steady as always, but that wasn't enough for Bench. That means the card needs to be basically flawless. It also noted that, in 1990, he and his father became the first father-son duo ever to play together as teammates. But he was easily one of their most well-rounded and popular players and would go on to finish fourth in MVP voting that year. Schmidt hit .308 with two doubles and two RBI in the brief series, but Cincy still steamrolled through Philadelphia for a convincing three-game sweep. Hank Aaron had already accomplished the unthinkable on April 8, 1974, when he hit the 715th home run of his career to move past Babe Ruth into the all-time lead. On the left, you'll see the Tiffany version, which depicts a much more lime green coloration. If it ended there, it would have been a befitting ending for one of the game's most lovable and durable players. Number:This is card #401 in a huge set of 792 cards. As a result, many arent rare and that keeps prices low. Some collectors consider the design to be a bit dark and bland overall. And today there are few survivors. For all sixteen years of his storied career, Jim Rice gave his all for the Boston Red Sox and retired as one of the biggest legends in franchise history with eight All-Star appearances, two Silver Sluggers, and one MVP to his name. 1961 Mickey Mantle #4 ~$2,000 PSA 9. Raymond's card is one of the toughest in the set to find in PSA 8 condition, with fewer than fifty examples having achieved the grade as of this writing. Not as popular as his other major releases, you could find these at hobby shops or by sending in for them in the mail. So there you have it, the ten most valuable 1986 Topps baseball cards. The prices of some of these cards may surprise you And in this guide, we take a look at the 10 most valuable in the set. shows a head and shoulders drawing of Ken Griffey Jr by DJ Skee. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC, most valuable baseball cards of the 1980s. Add to that the fact that the 20-card "Premiere Prospects" subset that Jeter is included in has a foil design that shows any and all imperfections, and it's virtually impossible to find a gem mint version of the card. In 1971, the young core of the Athletics took center stage and gave the City of Oakland its first taste of postseason baseball. Reverse Side:The reverse side of the card is printed with a horizontal layout and features McGwires personal information and statistics from each of his three years playing for USC. However, that wasn't to be, as he'd last just 45 games into a dismal 1977 season before he was canned. The two divorced shortly after the season. This one is numbered 14 of 24. Schmidt was molten hot out of the gate, hitting 12 home runs in the Phillies first fifteen games. 5. Joe Namaths rookie card may not be the most valuable in the hobby but its arguably the most popular of all football cards. Guidry did receive a roster spot for the team's ALCS showdown with the Kansas City Royals, but he was only used once in Game 4 and as a pinch-runner nonetheless. The cards were larger than normal, measuring in at 2 1/2" x 3 3/4", and featured full color photography and facsimile signatures of the players. 1 overall in the 1993 draft, Alex Rodriguez debuted the following year and then set the card market ablaze when he hit .358/.414/.631 with 54 doubles, 36 home runs, 123 RBI and 141 runs scored in his age-20 season to finish runner-up in MVP voting and win the AL batting title. The Giants fell in the NLCS to the Pirates, but Willie's legacy just grew and grew. That remained the all-time career home run record for 28 years until Barry Bonds eclipsed the mark in 2004. As with many Topps cards, the reverse records key facts from the players life and career. Simmons hit for .300 or better in seven different seasons and finished with a career .285 batting average to go along with 2,472 hits. Blyleven finished with a misleading 16-15 record, with most of his losses due to uncharacteristically bad run support by an otherwise competent Twins attack. Both of his rookies eclipsed $100 raw following his Hall of Fame announcement, but it's the Ultra version that sells for slightly higher in high-grade condition. Basketball Card Sets; 22T. The final price paid by one determined bidder was $1,656. Its numbered DAP-KGJ4 and features a great portrait of the man himself laughing. I always liked the 1989 Topps design with the floating name banner and cursive team name in the lower right corner. Top 11 QB Rookie Cards Building The All-Time Baseball Dream Team. At age 34, Robinson had another fantastic all-around year for the Os as he batted .272 with 20 home runs and 92 RBI in 663 plate appearances (589 at-bats). Food issues are typically not as popular as mainstream cards since they were typically only released in certain regions. As a football and baseball standout from Columbus High School in Columbus, Ohio, Frank Thomas was destined for greatness. Another of Clemente's most expensive cards is his second year issue from the 1956 Topps set. Estimated PSA 8 Value: $2,000. The original price had been $9,400, but the seller accepted a lower offer. This oddball item is not really a true baseball card but collectors go wild for them. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. Estimated PSA 10 Value: $175. The following offseason, the Mets traded Ryan, outfielder Leroy Stanton, catcher Francisco Estrada, and fellow pitcher Don Rose to the California Angels for shortstop Jim Fregosi. The Angels were nothing special in 1976, ambling along to a mediocre 76-86 record and a fourth-place finish in the AL West. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? Aaron simply produced, and he produced better in 1971 than in any of his 22 other years in the game. The Griffeys, along with the Ripkens, Alomars and Stottlemyres were showcased in a modern (at that time) television set design. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. Of all the Topps sets of the 1970s, you may not often hear from collectors that the 1976 Topps baseball card set is their favorite of the decade. Here is a look at some of his other recognized rookie cards from 1987 from some of the hobbys mainstream printers: First up is his 1987 Donruss Rated Rookies issue. A PSA 10 would easily fetch five figures. Estimated Base PSA 10 Value: $130. While many of the cards in this set feature a simple player pose, Munson's card is chock-full of action as he tags a runner at home plate, while the horizontal design and "Topps All-Star Rookie" trophy help distinguish it even more. A card in mint or near-mint condition could be worth around twice as much as one with bumped corners or scuffed surfaces. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! "Fred (Lynn) played all the time, Jim Rice played all the time. Notice the Leaf version is much more expensive than the Donruss version if you find them in PSA 10 condition. In recent years, this card has soared to become one of the most valuable baseball cards of the 1980s. After hitting .333 with four RBI in the team's four-game NLCS victory over the San Francisco Giants, Clemente scaled his Hall-of-Fame legend to unassailable heights in the team's epic seven-game World Series victory over the Baltimore Orioles. "Going from MVP to MDP (Most Disappointing Player) was a crucial period for me, the closest thing to anything like an identity crisis kids my age had in college or thereabouts," Bench remarked later. After retiring, Baylor later found success as an MLB manager leading the Colorado Rockies for six seasons and the Chicago Cubs for three, while being named Manager of the Year in 1995. Rare cards. He went on to rack up 541 home runs, 1,769 RBI and three World Series rings on his way to first-ballot Hall of Famer status. The design is much like the other Donruss issues that year but features a "The Rookies" logo in the upper right corner. It came onto the market in 2022, and was quickly snapped up. Ortiz spent six seasons with the Minnesota Twins before joining the Boston Red Sox in 2003, and he immediately broke out as one of the game's premier run producers. And as Brett ascended to prominence on the national stage, so did the Royals. With this 1994 card from Topps, you get two baseball stars for the price of one. The variation without the stadium light is one of the most challenging cards to find in high grade in the set with fewer than ten examples registered in PSA 8 holders, causing set builders to pay a heftier price tag than you might think. His home run record eventually fell to Barry Bonds but his RBI record will likely never be broken. Or, they'd need to be one of the Tiffany versions that were printed on premium quality stock and in much more limited numbers. Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at the top ten: Usually I prefer my Nolan Ryan cards to feature an image of the flame thrower blazing one towards home plate. I have a ken griffey jr card with chris hammond name and details on back I cant find any info on it. While his 1992 Bowman rookie is one of the iconic cards of the 1990s, it's actually his 1992 Fleer Update card that earns a spot on this most valuable list. He was no slouch with the glove, either, noted by his .986 career fielding average to go along with his impressive 122 shutouts. Different images of Ken in action grace the front and reverse of the card. Midway through his career, the Royals turned Fitzmorris into an everyday starter, with his best season coming in 1975 when he started all 35 games in which he pitched, finishing with a 16-12 record. This is a rare card, and Griffeys scar is an interesting detail that appeals to collectors. They were not many insert cards so, I'll need to look for more, and try to build up a nice somewhat master set. Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $2,250. Originally eligible for the Hall of Fame in 1994, Simmons fell off the ballot after receiving less than 5% of the vote but was fortunately later elected in December 2019 via the Veterans Committee. Known for his extreme dedication and hustle, Rose piled up hit after hit over his career and spearheaded some great ball teams. I had only seen names like that as I skimmed through old Beckett price guides but never had I seen them up close. Though their black borders present a challenge when it comes to condition, the 1971 baseball card set is one of the most recognizable of the era. Perhaps his most significant honor, though, was his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. But some older cards can look quite normal on the surface, while being highly prized by collectors. His is another case of where scarcity comes into play in a big way as there are currently only seven PSA 10 examples of this card in circulation. Despite earning a handful of MVP votes and his fifth-straight All-Star nod, even the great Pete Rose posted a so-so 1971 season by his lofty standards. based in Fetus, MO, distributed these magnets that featured many different baseball and basketball players in individual plastic bags. Starting off the list of most valuable baseball cards from the 1980s is the 1980 Topps George Brett Topps Tiffany baseball cards are by far some of the most valuable baseball cards from both the 80s and the 90s. The first thing most collectors want to know is: how much is a Mark McGwire rookie card worth? It didn't, though, and things got a bit tough. It was offered for sale at $2,350, with the seller accepting a slightly lower offer. Some actually put more emphasis on those 1987 cards as being true rookies since they were the first cards to show him in an Oakland Athletics uniform. Some of his decline in production can be attributed to the Cardinals being lousy in 1976, as they finished 5th in the NL West with a 72-90 record. This one is numbered 4 of 5. "Frenchy," as his teammates called him, finished his career with a 46-53 record, 3.66 ERA, 497 strikeouts, and 82 saves over 721 innings pitched with the White Sox, Braves, Colt .45s, and Expos. Stats via Baseball Reference. And while Dusty Baker was no slouch on the field as a player, noted by his two All-Star selections, two Silver Sluggers, one Gold Glove, and a 1981 World Series ring, he later found even more success as a manager. And it was spearheaded by one of the greatest hitters of his or any era, 35-year-old star third baseman Pete Rose. It shows Ken Griffey Jr in a full-length action shot, wearing his Seattle Mariners kit. That color scheme makes the reverse of the Tiffany Mark McGwire rookie card much easier to read. So how much of a premium did that add to the price? But hobbyists still chase his 1985 Topps and Topps Tiffany card and consider it his most valuable and sought after of all his rookies. Rookie Card. Nomar from 1997-2000, and the card peaked at $120 dollars. It just so happened that his form was wildly inconsistent. After spending years as one of baseball's most eligible bachelors, Bench married former Miss South Carolina and Miss USA runner-up Vicki Lynne Chesser before the 1975 campaign. It came up for auction in 2022 and sold for its maiden bid of $2,300. Aaron kept extending his record the rest of the season before finishing with 2,262. It's just that some of the other Topps set designs of the 1970s appeal to more collectors because of how unique they were. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC. Undoubtedly one of the greatest Major League Baseball players to immigrate from Cuba, Tony Olivas career was at an injury-plagued crossroads heading into the 1976 MLB season. His .722 OPS for the 1971 campaign is 95 points worse than his career mark. Like his boyhood idol, Mickey Mantle, Murcer was born in Oklahoma and was originally scouted and signed by Tom Greenwade, the same Yankees scout who had signed Mantle years before. This is probably McGwires second most popular rookie card. And though the young catcher's offensive production regressed a bit, his stellar backstop work made up for it. There were so many different ones produced by so many different companies that it was hard to pick a favorite. it remains one of his rarest cards. And Griffey's card, in particular, really captured his trademark swing in a unique format. But this example came to the market in near mint condition. 20 Most Valuable X-Men Trading Cards 20. After coming to terms on the release of recent trade acquisition Ken Brett in mid-May, the Yankees recalled Guidry to work out of the team's bullpen. The Baltimore Orioles promptly swept the A's from the playoffs with a three-game American League Championship Series triumph. Playoff and World Series Highlights (#461 - 462). Not only did the heavy printing and distribution of 1980s era cards lead to over supply and tanking values, but the steroids scandal of the late 1990s and early 2000s didnt help either. Unfortunately, Rice and the Red Sox rarely appeared in the playoffs during those sixteen seasons, making it into the post-season only twice in 1986 when they lost to the Mets in the World Series and 1988 when they lost to the A's in the ALCS. This was the first card in the Skylines series, which adds extra interest for collectors. On August 14, 1971, Simmons was on duty behind the plate helping the legendary fireballer, Bob Gibson, throw the first no-hitter of his career as the Cardinals destroyed the Pirates 11-0 that day. When it comes to picking Frank Thomas rookie cards, none are wildly valuable anymore. The 1997 Bowman set was one of the most popular of the late 1990s. The autographs had been authenticated by the Professional Sports Authenticator, so buyers could have confidence they were getting the real deal. But it commands a premium price today. I'm not a Cubs fan but it would've been nice to see Sandberg get a World Series ringhe was a classy player. Estimated PSA 10 Value: $1,400. This 1990 card from Topps, numbered 336, shows that baseball can be a tough game! A young Griffey Jr. poses with a rather serious look, kneeling in his Mariners uniform. Despite being a first-round pick in '95, he did not appear on his first MLB licensed card until 1997 when he was included in the Bowman, Bowman Chrome and Bowman's Best sets. Contact him at [emailprotected]. Fresh off a 1975 debut campaign in which he finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year race and third in the MVP vote, Jim Rice looked to keep up the hot start to his Hall of Fame career in 1976. Estimated PSA 10 Value: $2,000. This 1996 card is from the Topps Chrome series, and it was the 70th card produced for that line. And in 1971, at the age of 40, his role was reduced even further as knee problems that plagued him his entire career started to zap his athleticism. Things kicked off in April when the Atlanta Braves' slugger hit his 600th home run off of fellow future Hall-of-Famer Gaylord Perry, joining Willie Mays and Babe Ruth as the only players in the 600-homer club at that point. 1965 Topps Joe Namath Rookie Card. This example wasnt in the best condition it was graded 6 on a 10 point scale, with 10 being mint. The New York Mets right-hander put together arguably the most dominant season of his Hall-of-Fame career, finishing with a 20-10 record and pacing the Majors with a career-best 1.76 ERA. 186 Jake Burger, Chicago White Sox. Considered to be one of his most popular rookie cards, the1989 Topps Tradedissue features a young Griffey staring confidently with a bat over his shoulder. Beltre is viewedas a likely first-ballot Hall of Famer when he is eligible for the first time in 2024, andthis is a card that still has some room to grow in value. While both cards sell for a similar price ungraded, the shiny foil nature of the Bowman's Best card makes it extremely difficult to find them in gem mint condition. Estimated PSA 8 Value: $10. His power numbers had fallen off and he was coming off a 1975 campaign in which he had posted a career-low .247 batting average. Fingers took to the bullpen like a fish to water, saving 17 of 20 opportunities for the fourth-best saves total in the American League. Griffey is shown following through on a swing in a great action shot. His career had already been extended once by the institution of the Designated Hitter in the American League in 1973. This card features a great image of Sandberg with a bright smile on his face. I say first because the hobby also recognizes a lot of his cards printed in 1987 as rookies, too. Of all the cards in this set, I think Bonds' is one of the best-looking and most memorable. The 1986 season was huge for the New York Mets as they would go on to win the World Series title that year. Their values have since skyrocketed since his Hall of Fame induction in 2016. The same card sold two years earlier for $2.8 million. 1956 Topps #33. Contact him at [emailprotected]. All card images courtesy of TCDB, while pricing data is pulled from recent eBay sales as of Thursday morning. In this article we'll take a look at the 25 most valuable. Under the managerial guidance of Joe Frazier, New York appeared to have a plan in place for a return to October glory. But Martin was just not a fan of the rookie pitcher and left him on the bullpen bench for 47 consecutive games before being demoted back to Syracuse on July 6th. It also didn't help that Jackson sputtered until mid-June, hitting barely above .200 with just four home runs to his credit. He officially retired on December 1st, 1971, and remained a coach with the team until 1973. 1989 Upper Deck, Purple Hat $3,000. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. There is also a Topps Tiffany version of the Mark McGwire rookie card. We hope youve enjoyed learning more about these cards and celebrating a true icon of the game. Along with multi-player rookie cards, team cards, and checklists, there were also several different subsets, including: One note about those black borders: always be aware that doctoring has been an issue with these cards for years. The design is exactly the same as the base card but the card stock itself is higher quality with a glossy look and feel. Or, feel free to call/text me at 305-684-6680! The lime green coloration scheme has 1980s written all over it. But it was nevertheless snapped up when it was offered for sale on the secondary market later the same year. 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