The 1970 baseball season was a memorable one with iconic players and teams that produced some of the most valuable and sought after baseball cards of the era. While the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series that year, several legendary players had career seasons that were immortalized on coveted cardboard. With the rise of the hobby in the late 1980s, 1970s cards became highly collectible and prices soared for the true gems from that vintage. Let’s take a look at some of the best and most valuable baseball cards from the 1970 set.
Perhaps the most iconic and valuable card from 1970 is the Nolan Ryan rookie card. As one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Ryan’s rookie card is highly sought after by collectors. In 1970 with the New York Mets, Ryan began to showcase the blazing fastball that would eventually lead to a record 7 no-hitters over his career. His rookie card often sells for well over $10,000 in near-mint condition showing him in the classic Mets blue and orange. Another highly valuable Mets card is that of Tom Seaver, who won 25 games and captured the Cy Young Award in 1970. Seaver’s card can fetch thousands as well, as he went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is still regarded as one of the best pitchers in Mets history.
Two of the biggest stars of the 1970 Baltimore Orioles are represented by excellent cards as well. Pitcher Mike Cuellar, who won 20 games and helped lead the O’s to the World Series, has a very collectible card. The true blue chip card from the 1970 Orioles set is the Frank Robinson. As a player/manager, Robinson put together an MVP season launching 49 home runs in 1970. His card is one of the most iconic from the entire decade and can sell for over $5,000 in top condition due to his Hall of Fame career and status as the first African American manager in MLB history.
The 1970 Cincinnati Reds were dominant, winning 102 games and cruising to the World Series title. Not surprisingly, several of their stars have valuable cards from that season. Pitcher Gary Nolan, who won 19 games as a 23-year old and started 2 games in the World Series has a card that frequently sells for well over $1,000. The real treasure is the Johnny Bench rookie card, showing the young catcher poised for a Hall of Fame career. The Bench rookie is arguably one of the most coveted cards ever produced and can sell for $25,000+ in pristine condition. Another Reds slugger with an expensive 1970 card is Lee May, who blasted 37 home runs on his way to being named National League Comeback Player of the Year.
Two American League superstars from the 1970 season that have enduringly valuable cards are Rod Carew and Reggie Jackson. Carew captured his 3rd batting title in 1970 by hitting .332 for the Minnesota Twins and his card is consistently one of the most expensive from the 1970 set, often selling for over $3,000 in top shape. Meanwhile, “Mr. October” began his ascent to superstardom in 1970 with the Oakland A’s, launching 23 home runs as a 24-year old. Jackson’s explosive talent and charismatic personality made his 1970 card hugely popular and it retains significant value, sometimes fetching over $2,000.
While the big stars hold most of the value, there are a few other noteworthy cards from 1970 worth mentioning. Cubs third baseman Ron Santo put together one of his finest seasons, hitting .300 with 29 home runs and finished third in MVP voting. His card has grown in popularity and can sell for over $500. Another card that has seen prices rise is that of Oakland A’s pitcher Vida Blue. As a rookie Blue won 24 games and took home the AL Cy Young Award. While not in the same league as the true stars, his iconic rookie card still sells for a few hundred dollars. Lastly, one of the more visually striking cards from 1970 is that of the California Angels’ Alex Johnson. Dressed in their unique red, white and blue uniforms, Johnson’s card is a favorite of collectors.
The 1970 season produced baseball cards for some of the all-time greats who were just starting their legendary careers. Fifty years later, high grade examples of cards featuring Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson and Rod Carew continue to be among the most valuable vintage cards on the market. The 1970 set as a whole remains a highly collectible vintage release due to the star power and memorable teams and seasons it memorializes on cardboard. For dedicated collectors, finding high quality examples of these iconic cards to add to a collection is the holy grail.
