The 1979 baseball card season marked the beginning of a new decade that would see major changes in the hobby. While the 1970s helped reignite interest in collecting cards after the crash of the 1950s, the late 70s introduced new challenges and opportunities that have significantly impacted values over the long run. Let’s take a deeper look at what made 1979 such an intriguing year and how it influenced the modern baseball card marketplace.
Topps remained the lone major issuer of standard sized trading cards in 1979, but this was the first year the company faced serious competition from Fleer. Fleer debuted its much anticipated glossy photo style set that same year, adding competition and driving innovation within the industry. While Topps’ design stayed fairly traditional with its team-centric photographic fronts, the competition pushed both companies to seek out bigger and better rookie cards, chase cards, and new insertion sets going forward.
Some of the top rookies from 1979 that still hold value today include Hall of Famer Wade Boggs of the Red Sox, Hall of Famer Jimmy Morris of the Pirates, and Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith of the Padres. Other noteworthy rookies like Joe Charboneau and Bobby Bonilla also debuted but have not maintained the same long term interest. Condition sensitive inserts like the Eddie Murray #660 “Checklist” card remain extremely difficult to find in high grade as well.
Beyond rookies, stars of the day like Dave Winfield, Mike Schmidt, Nolan Ryan, and George Brett anchored the set. One of the biggest stars of 1979 was yet to debut – Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr didn’t crack the bigs until 1981. For collectors focusing on future Hall of Famers, Ripken remains one of the most conspicuous absences from 1970s-era cards.
While the 1970s saw renewed growth in the hobby, inflation began hitting consumers hard by the 1979-80 season. As money became tighter, the industry began consolidating around the two main issuers of Topps and Fleer, with other short-lived competitors bowing out. The scarcity generated by having only two dominant producers helped establish certain 1979 cards as classics that gained recognition and value as the decades wore on.
In the 1990s, interest in vintage cards from the 1970s and prior exploded. This renewed collector fervor drove values of key 1970s stars, rookies, and inserts up significantly. Icons like a 1975 Nolan Ryan rookie PSA 8 can fetch over $100,000 today. A BGS/PSA 9 1979 Ozzie Smith rookie regularly commands $4,000-6,000. Even solid condition 1979 Wade Boggs rookies trade hands for $800-1,500 depending on the exact price point of the market.
Some other notable 1979 players whose best (and sometimes only) rookie cards come from this set include Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg of the Phillies, All-Star Jerry Koosman of the Twins, All-Star Buddy Bell of the Rangers, and underrated star Bill Madlock of the Giants. All remain fairly affordable for most collectors to pursue raw or graded. And with more inductees, like Sandberg, entering Cooperstown over time, certain 1979 cards seem poised to achieve new appreciation levels.
The 1979 design itself from Topps is far from the most visually striking compared to some of their more artistic earlier efforts. But between the rookie class, stars of the era, and competitive inserts – it features many pivotal players at the onset of their careers. Condition remains key for valuations given the standard paper stock issues of the late 1970s. But for budget-minded collectors, there are plenty of attainable stars and future Hall of Famers to pursue that won’t break the bank. And for investors, the 1979 set provides a solid snapshot of baseball on the cusp of a new decade with recognizable names still holding value decades later.
The 1979 season saw competition heat up with Fleer’s entry while core manufacturers consolidated around Topps. Rookies like Boggs, Morris, and Smith anchored the set along with established stars entering their primes. Renewed interest in the 1990s vintage boom sent values higher on these key rookie cards and inserts. And with continued Hall of Fame inductions, certain 1979 cards seem poised to appreciate further. The set endures as an affordable gateway into a pivotal year when the hobby shifted Into a new era. Between the storylines and investment potential, 1979 cards retain significance over 40 years later.
