Baseball cards have long captured the nostalgia of America’s pastime by commemorating players, teams, and memorable moments from Major League Baseball history. Two legendary players whose baseball card collections hold significant value are pitching ace Bert Blyleven and outfielder Roberto Clemente. Their illustrious careers and the scarcity of some of their early cards in mint condition make them highly sought after by collectors to this day.
Born in 1951 in the Netherlands before his family immigrated to California, Bert Blyleven made his big league debut in 1970 with the Minnesota Twins at just 19 years old. He would go on to have one of the most durable and effective careers of any pitcher of his era, racking up 287 wins, 3,701 strikeouts, and 60 shutouts over 22 seasons with the Twins, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and California Angels. Blyleven’s pinpoint control and dazzling curveball made him a 14-time All-Star and World Series champion.
Some of Blyleven’s earliest and most valuable baseball cards come from his rookie seasons in the early 1970s. Highlights include his 1970 Topps rookie card, which in near-mint condition can fetch over $1,000. His 1971 Topps and 1972 Topps cards are also highly sought after by collectors when in pristine condition. Perhaps the scarcest Blyleven card is his 1973 Topps Traded, which featured a photo of him in a Rangers uniform after being traded to Texas that season. Only about 50 of the Traded cards are known to exist in mint condition, making it one of the true gems of any serious Blyleven collection.
While Blyleven put together outstanding numbers as one of the top pitchers of his era, Roberto Clemente was equally renowned for his accomplishments at the plate as well as his humanitarian work off the field. Born in Puerto Rico in 1934, Clemente played his entire 18-year MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 until his tragic death in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming just the 11th player to be chosen in his first year of eligibility.
Clemente smashed out exactly 3,000 career hits and won 12 Gold Glove Awards for his stellar defense in right field. He helped lead the Pirates to two World Series championships in 1960 and 1971. Some of Clemente’s most prized baseball cards come from his early years with the Pirates in the 1950s. His 1955 Topps rookie card is among the most expensive in the hobby, routinely fetching over $10,000 in top condition. His 1956 Topps and 1957 Topps issues also hold tremendous value. Perhaps Clemente’s rarest card is his 1952 Bowman, which was part of the set’s color trial run and only approximately 50 are known to exist. Finding one in pristine condition would be an incredible addition to any collection.
While Blyleven and Clemente both experienced Hall of Fame careers cut short due to circumstances outside of baseball, their legacies live on through not only their stats and accomplishments but also their baseball cards. The scarcity and condition of some of their earliest issued cards make them hugely important to the collecting world decades after their playing days ended. Both players’ cards remain widely sought after to this day by those looking to commemorate and preserve the stories and performances of two true legends in the national pastime. With iconic careers on the field and tremendous impacts beyond it, Blyleven and Clemente stand among the most revered figures baseball has ever seen, as reflected in the continued passion from collectors for their vintage cardboard.
