The 1982 Kmart baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the more unusual issues from the early 1980s. Unlike traditional card manufacturers like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss, Kmart was a major retail chain that decided to venture into the baseball card market for just one year. They produced a 132 card run that highlighted MLB players from the 1981 season. While the majority of cards in the set hold little value today, there are a handful that have grown to become quite valuable for serious collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most economically important 1982 Kmart baseball cards to own.
One of the true gems from the set is the Mike Schmidt card (#120). Schmidt was arguably the top third baseman in baseball during the early 1980s and won the National League MVP award in 1980 and 1981. His stats on the back of the card, which include 48 home runs and 119 RBI in 1981, cement his place as one of the game’s premier sluggers at the time. With such an impressive career highlighted on a key cardboard, it’s no surprise Schmidt’s Kmart issue has appreciation significantly. High grade copies in near mint to mint condition can typically fetch $100+ in today’s market. The rarity and stature of player make this one of the crown jewels of the entire release.
Another thick mustache slugger who has a valued Kmart issue is George Foster (#61). Foster was a power-hitting outfielder who posted MVP caliber seasons in 1977 while with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1981 with the New York Mets, he still managed to hit 25 home runs and drive in 80 runs. Today, a Foster in great condition will sell for $75-100 based on his solid 1981 season and status as an important piece of the Big Red Machine’s championship past. Like Schmidt, sharp copies in high grade represent the elite collecting tier within this obscure set.
As many vintage card investors know, early releases starring rising rookie talents tend increase in worth substantially after players blossom into big league standouts. One such example from the 1982 Kmart set is the Cal Ripken Jr. rookie card (#110). Being Ripken’s first ever card appearance, this issue has appreciated tremendously since his eventual induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 as one of the greatest shortstops in MLB annals. Condition is critical, as a Near Mint example will command $200-300 on today’s market. For the extraordinary condition of a true gem mint Ripken rookie, the price tag escalates towards the $500-1000 range or more. Considering the future superstar depicted, it’s an appropriate valuation for such a significant pre-fame snapshot.
While not quite the household names that Schmidt, Foster, and Ripken became, there are a handful of other 1982 Kmart rookie cards that have earned respectable secondary market worth. One is the Tim Raines rookie (#61), which sells in the $50-75 range for a quality copy of the budding Marlins outfielder who would go on to have a stellar career highlighted by consecutive batting titles in the 1980s. Another is the Don Mattingly rookie (#70), valued between $75-125 given his eventual status as one of baseball’s premier hitters during his Dodgers tenure. Both represent solid long term investments for collectors pursuing rookie components, even from obscure early issues.
While the 1982 Kmart baseball card set doesn’t contain the same overall cache as mainstream manufacturers, there are definable gems within the roster that have appreciated substantially. Keys like the Schmidt, Foster, and Ripken cards represent the true blue chip specimens to pursue, with 4-figure prices attainable for immaculate samples. Even lesser known rookie issues have earned respect on the collecting market. For those building complete Kmart sets or diving into the individual high value cards, it’s a fun niche challenge of vintage cardboard collecting. With the recognized greats and emerging talents highlighted, the financial upside makes it a set certainly worth inspecting closely.
