When it comes to investing in baseball cards, there are a few hall-of-famers and rookie cards that have proven to hold their value and increase substantially over time. For collectors and investors looking to put money into cards that have a high likelihood of appreciation, focusing on the top players throughout history is a solid strategy.
One of the most obvious choices would be cards featuring Babe Ruth. As arguably the greatest baseball player of all time, Ruth cards are always in high demand from collectors. His rookie card from 1914 is one of the key vintage cards to own, with high-grade examples selling for over $2 million. Even his more common post-rookie cards from the 1920s can gain value, as Ruth mania never seems to die down. For a more affordable option, you can’t go wrong picking up some of his vintage cards in lower grades.
Another slam dunk Hall of Famer to invest in is Mickey Mantle. Like Ruth, Mantle’s legend and iconic status ensure strong, long-term collector interest. His 1952 Topps rookie card has increased exponentially in value, with a PSA 10 copy recently selling for over $5.2 million. Even his later 1950s Topps cards in lower grades are good investments considering his enduring popularity. The high population of Mantle’s rookie also means there is room for continued appreciation.
For a more modern star who is sure to gain in the long run, you can’t go wrong with Mike Trout cards. Still active and arguably the best player of his generation, Trout cards offer a high floor for investment value. His 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Superfractor rookie card already sells for over $400,000, showing impressive returns after just over a decade. Trout’s entire early career rookie collection from Topps, Bowman, etc. makes for a sound portfolio to hold onto.
Another active player with huge future potential is Los Angeles Dodger star Mookie Betts. Already a 4x All-Star and 2018 AL MVP by age 27, Betts has all the hallmarks of a future Hall of Famer. His 2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Superfractor rookie just sold for $90,000, showing great returns after less than 10 years. Betts’ entire early Topps and Bowman rookie run makes for an exciting long-term investment, especially for such a young superstar still in his prime.
For vintage rookie cards, one of the best investments remains the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle in PSA 8-10 condition. Even high grade examples traded for under $100,000 just a decade ago but now sell for millions. Mantle is arguably the most desirable sports card subject ever, and strong interest will ensure his 1952 Topps rookie maintains its value. Lower grade copies in PSA 5-7 condition have also increased steadily and offer more affordable exposure to this iconic card.
The 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner is often cited as the most valuable trading card in existence, with a PSA NM-MT 8 copy selling for $3.12 million in 2016. The ultra-rare Wagner is out of reach for most investors. A more realistic vintage investment is the 1909-11 T206 Walter Johnson in high grades. “The Big Train” was arguably the greatest pitcher ever, and his colorful T206 rookie card remains one of the most coveted in the hobby. Even in PSA 5 condition, examples have gained over 1,000% in the last decade.
For a more modern vintage investment, collector interest in 1970s stars like Reggie Jackson and George Brett make their high-grade rookie cards a smart longer-term portfolio piece. Jackson’s 1973 Topps and 1974 Topps Traded rookie cards have increased steadily, with PSA 10 copies of each now worth over $20,000. Meanwhile, Brett’s 1974 Topps rookie in PSA 10 condition is approaching $30,000 in value after selling for under $1,000 in the late 2000s. As legends of the game, collector demand for their earliest issued cards will remain strong.
When considering younger modern players as long-term investments, cards from Acuna Jr., Soto, Alonso or Tatis Jr. offer huge potential. Ronald Acuna Jr.’s 2018 Topps Chrome Update Yellow Refractor RC PSA 10 recently sold for $236,000, an incredible return in just 3 seasons. Meanwhile Juan Soto’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Superfractor RC has already gained over 1,000% since issue. Pete Alonso and Fernando Tatis Jr. also saw early cards skyrocket after breakout rookie campaigns. Focusing on the earliest high-end parallels and autographs of emerging young stars is a savvy investment strategy.
When investing in baseball cards, focusing on the all-time great players like Ruth, Mantle, and Trout ensures strong, long-lasting demand. Purchasing their highest graded rookie cards or early career issues offers a relatively safe portfolio with huge upside. Younger modern stars Acuna Jr., Soto, Alonso and Tatis Jr. also have enormous future potential if bought pre-breakout. High-grade vintage cards from legends like Jackson, Brett and Johnson are primed to appreciate further as their careers are cemented in Cooperstown. Investing in the earliest, highest quality cards from baseball’s icons and rising stars is a smart strategy for long-term gains.
