Baseball cards have a long history in Bakersfield, California dating back to the late 19th century. As one of the early hubs for minor league baseball on the west coast, Bakersfield saw its fair share of baseball stars come through the local minor league teams over the decades. This helped fuel a strong baseball card collecting culture that still exists today.
Some of the earliest baseball cards featuring Bakersfield players date back to the late 1800s during the period where tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter and Old Judge began inserting baseball cards as premiums in their tobacco products. While it’s impossible to know for certain which specific Bakersfield players may have appeared on some of those ultra rare early tobacco era cards, it’s quite possible that some local minor league stars of the late 1800s found their way onto those early cardboard issues.
The first dedicated set solely featuring minor league players was issued in 1933 by Goudey and is known as the Goudey Minor League Baseball Issue. This set included several players who had spent time in the Bakersfield minor leagues during their careers. Names like Ernie Lombardi, Pinky Higgins and Dick Bartell appeared in the 1933 Goudey Minor League set after having played for teams in the Bakersfield minor leagues earlier in their careers. This helped further fuel the growing interest in baseball card collecting locally.
In the 1930s and 1940s, Bakersfield was home to teams in the California State League, including the Bakersfield Bears. Future major leaguers like Luke Appling, Early Wynn and Jim Konstanty all spent time in Bakersfield during these years. Their cards from issues like 1935 and 1937 Goudey, 1938 Play Ball and 1941 Play Ball are highly sought after by Bakersfield-area collectors today given the players’ local ties.
Topps began issuing annual baseball card sets in 1952 that included both major and minor leaguers. This further increased the visibility of Bakersfield players regionally. Names like Bakersfield native Dick Brown, who had a 13-year MLB career, began appearing regularly in Topps sets after coming up through the local minor league system. Other 1950s Bakersfield stars featured in early Topps issues include Ron Negray, Don Zimmer and Dave Philley.
Through the 1950s and 1960s, Bakersfield was home to teams in the California League, including the Bakersfield Bears. Future MLB all-stars like Don Drysdale, Maury Wills and Jim Fregosi all spent time in Bakersfield during these seasons. Their rookie cards from 1952-1966 Topps sets remain very collectible for those interested in Bakersfield’s baseball card history.
The 1970s saw Bakersfield gain a team in the Class A California League called the Bakersfield Dodgers, who later became known as the Bakersfield Rangers. Future big leaguers like Steve Garvey, Bill Russell and Bobby Valentine all played in Bakersfield during this time. Their early 1970s Topps cards are highly sought after by those looking to collect Bakersfield ballplayers.
In the 1980s, Bakersfield was home to the Bakersfield Dodgers once again in the California League. Future all-stars like Orel Hershiser, Eric Karros and Darren Daulton got their early professional experience in Bakersfield, appearing on rookie cards in 1980s Topps and Donruss sets that are prized by collectors today.
The 1990s saw Bakersfield gain a new California League team, the Bakersfield Blaze. Stars of the 1990s like Jason Giambi, Ben Grieve and Troy Percival played in Bakersfield during this decade before reaching the majors. Their early minor league cards remain popular in the Bakersfield area.
Today, Bakersfield continues its long tradition of minor league baseball with the Bakersfield Train Robbers of the independent Pecos League. While players may not receive the same type of widespread cardboard treatment that MLB affiliated players get, the Train Robbers help keep baseball alive locally. Meanwhile, vintage baseball cards from Bakersfield’s rich baseball history over the decades remain popular among collectors in the area, preserving the memories of stars who once shone on the local diamonds. Bakersfield’s baseball card collecting legacy lives on.
