B.J. Surhoff had a long and productive major league baseball career that spanned from 1985 to 2002. As an everyday player for the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, and Atlanta Braves, Surhoff established himself as a versatile and consistent player who could man multiple positions. His longevity and dependability led to appearances on many baseball cards over nearly two decades. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable B.J. Surhoff baseball cards from his playing days.
One of Surhoff’s earliest and most scarce cards comes from his rookie season with the Brewers in 1985. That year, he was featured in the Fleer set, marking his debut in the world of baseball cards at age 21. The 1985 Fleer B.J. Surhoff card (#481) shows him in a Milwaukee uniform from his early days in the big leagues. While not one of his most prominent cards due to being from his rookie season before he really broke out, it remains an important piece of the Surhoff collecting puzzle. Examples from the 1985 Fleer set in near-mint to mint condition can fetch over $100 due to the card’s scarcity and significance as his rookie issue.
Surhoff’s breakout campaign came in 1989 when he batted .313 with career highs of 13 home runs and 90 RBI. That outstanding season earned him inclusion in some of the premier ’89 sets. He appears in both the flagship Topps and Fleer sets from that year, as well as the high-end Studio brand. The ’89 Topps B.J. Surhoff (#481) and ’89 Fleer B.J. Surhoff (#481) cards depict him in the midst of his breakout season and showcased him as an emerging star. Examples still grade well today and can be acquired for $10-20, making them very obtainable for Surhoff collectors.
The ’89 Studio B.J. Surhoff card (#92) is quite rare and desirable for advanced collectors. Part of Studio’s limited print run and higher price point compared to mainstream brands, it features vivid color and sharp photo quality. In top condition, a pristine ’89 Studio Surhoff can demand over $100. While condition sensitivity keeps mint examples elusive, it remains one of the most visually striking cards from Surhoff’s key ’89 campaign.
After seven seasons with the Brewers, Surhoff was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 1991. He became an integral part of their lineup throughout the 1990s. His first season with Baltimore in 1991 saw Surhoff included in flagship sets from the big three brands – Topps, Fleer, and Score. The ’91 Topps B.J. Surhoff (#625) transitions him to his new Orioles uniform in the midst of another solid season. In a 7+ grade, it can be acquired for $5-10, making it an affordable addition for Orioles or Surhoff PC builders.
Surhoff had one of his finest seasons in 1994 when he batted .305 with 13 homers and 93 RBI for Baltimore. That performance led to prominent card inclusions. The ’94 Topps Traded B.J. Surhoff (#T79) features a sharp close-up photo showing his intensity at the plate. It remains one of Surhoff’s most visually appealing baseball cards from his time in Baltimore. Grading 6+ can still find this sought-after Traded issue for under $15. The ’94 Score B.J. Surhoff (#627) also highlights his ’94 campaign for the O’s and can be obtained for $3-5 in average condition.
After nine seasons with Baltimore, Surhoff was traded again – this time to the Atlanta Braves in 2000 at age 36. Though in the later stages of his career, he still provided steady production off the bench and could play anywhere on the field. His first Atlanta card came from 2000 Topps Heritage (#443), part of the retro-styled set that year paying homage to the 1954 Topps design. It marks his change to a Braves uniform late in his playing days. Even well-centered examples can be found for $1-2, making it an affordable addition for any Surhoff or Braves PC.
Surhoff played his final two seasons from 2001-2002 with the Braves. In 2001, he appeared in flagship issues from Topps, Fleer, and Upper Deck. The ’01 Topps B.J. Surhoff (#683) highlights his contributions to the Braves during the twilight of his career. Priced around $1 in average condition, it’s another affordable way to represent this stage for the versatile veteran.
In 2002, Surhoff’s final season was highlighted with inclusion in that year’s Topps set. The ’02 Topps B.J. Surhoff (#648) serves as a send-off to one of the most dependable players of his generation after 18 big league seasons. Priced around $1-2 even in well-centered examples, it provides a fitting bookend to Surhoff’s baseball card career while still remaining very budget-friendly for collectors.
In total, B.J. Surhoff was featured in dozens of baseball card sets from 1985 through 2002 spanning his entire MLB tenure. While not one of the game’s biggest stars, his longevity and consistency led to appearances capturing each stage of his career. For collectors, his cards provide affordable options across all levels from rookies to late-career issues. Keys like his ’89s and prime ’90s Orioles issues are highlights but don’t break the bank. Overall, Surhoff’s baseball cards serve as a reminder of the steady, versatile player he was for nearly two decades.
