Adam Wainwright is a legendary pitcher who has spent his entire MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals. As a pitcher who has been with one team for nearly two decades, Wainwright has been featured on numerous baseball cards throughout his career. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable and valuable Adam Wainwright cards that collectors search for.
One of Wainwright’s earliest cards is his 2003 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Refractors rookie card. As one of Wainwright’s first cards issued while he was in the minors, this card has taken on greater significance since he became an ace in St. Louis. The 2003 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Refractors rookie card can sell for over $100 in near-mint condition for the more common base card, while refractors and parallels can fetch upwards of $500 or more in gem mint 10 grade.
Wainwright’s true rookie card came in 2005 with his debut in Topps baseball card releases. The 2005 Topps #630 Adam Wainwright rookie card is one of the most iconic in his collection. This basic cardboard issue can be found for $20-30, while special parallel and autographed versions have sold for thousands. The 2005 Topps rookie card was the first widespread look fans got of the pitcher who would become a Cardinal legend.
In 2006, Wainwright broke out with a stellar season in St. Louis. His performance earned him higher numbered cards in the flagship Topps set. The 2006 Topps #629 Adam Wainwright is another fundamental piece for collectors of his early career. Near-mint copies can be found for $10-15, with autographed versions reaching over $500. This marked Wainwright establishing himself as a big league starter.
Wainwright’s breakout continued into 2007 when he notched 14 wins and helped lead the Cardinals to a pennant. Topps commemorated his success with the 2007 Topps #660 card. As a popular numbered issue from that season, the 2007 Topps #660 fetches $8-12 in top condition. Colorful parallels and autographs take the value much higher. It was a sign of the ace Wainwright was becoming in St. Louis.
In 2009, Wainwright cemented his status with a dominant season winning 19 games while posting a 2.63 ERA. Topps again recognized his excellence with the 2009 Topps #662 card. Near-mint examples can be found for $5-8, but special parallels and autographs reach the triple-digit price range. This marked Wainwright entering the upper echelon of MLB pitchers.
Wainwright’s career was interrupted in 2011 due to Tommy John surgery, but he returned better than ever in 2013. Topps highlighted his comeback with the 2013 Topps #670 card that year. In top condition this basic issue sells for $3-5, while special parallels reach $50-100. It was a testament to Wainwright’s resilience to bounce back from a major injury.
In 2014, Wainwright helped lead the Cardinals to a pennant once more. Topps paid tribute with the 2014 Topps #712 card. Near-mint copies trade hands for $3-4, with autographed and parallel versions reaching $50-150. This marked Wainwright back among the game’s elite once again after injury.
Wainwright’s career continued well into the late 2010s, achieving several milestones along the way. Topps duly recognized these accomplishments with numbered cards in flagship sets such as the 2016 Topps #760 for his 200th start, 2017 Topps #715 for his 150th win, and the 2020 Topps #770 for his 3,000th career strikeout. Each of these numbered cards can be acquired in top condition for $3-5 and demonstrate Wainwright’s longevity and greatness.
In addition to his Topps cards, Wainwright has also been featured prominently in other baseball card products over the years. Sets like Bowman, Stadium Club, Leaf, and Topps Chrome have all highlighted the righty with shiny rookie cards, autographs, and parallels. Wainwright even has rare 1/1 printing plate autographs that have sold at auction for over $1,000. With his decorated career nearly over, collectors continue seeking out Adam Wainwright’s vast array of baseball cards.
Whether it’s his earliest prospect issues, iconic rookie cards, or numbered career milestone presentations, Adam Wainwright has left an indelible mark on the baseball card collecting community. As a lifelong Cardinal, Wainwright will forever be remembered not just for his performances on the field but the countless cardboard remembrances of his stellar career. Collectors hope that one day they too can own a piece of this pitching legend in the form of an Adam Wainwright baseball card.
