Bridgewater Associates is one of the largest hedge funds in the world with over $150 billion in assets under management. Founded in 1975 by Ray Dalio, the firm has pioneered the use of radical transparency and principles-based investing. What may not be as widely known is Dalio’s passion for collecting baseball cards. His collection is considered one of the most valuable in private hands.
Dalio began collecting baseball cards as a child growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of his earliest and most cherished cards included stars like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron from that era. As a kid, he and his friends would trade, buy and sell cards, immersing themselves in America’s pastime. Even as he went on to attend Harvard Business School and found Bridgewater Associates, Dalio never lost his love for the hobby.
Over the decades, Dalio quietly amassed one of the most comprehensive collections in existence. It is estimated to include over 250,000 individual cards spanning from the 1800s to present day. Some of the highlights include rare vintage cards from the 1880s and 1890s when the modern baseball card was just emerging. He has T206 cards depicting Honus Wagner, one of the most coveted collectibles in the world. Dalio also owns numerous early 20th century tobacco cards like the iconic 1909-11 T206 set.
For the golden era of the 1950s, Dalio has a complete or near complete run of the iconic Topps sets from that decade. This includes the coveted 1952 Topps set which is considered the most valuable non-vintage baseball card release. He owns legendary rookie cards like the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, one of the rarest in the hobby. Dalio also has cards chronicling Mantle’s entire Hall of Fame career. For the 1960s, he has a pristine run of the classic Topps and Fleer sets.
Dalio’s collection extends deep into the modern era as well. He acquired rare rookie cards for legends like Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, and Mike Pujols when they were still affordable. Dalio also possesses complete sets and parallels for the ultra-premium releases from the late 90s onwards by Upper Deck, Leaf, and Score. This includes 1-of-1 printing plate cards. His collection is unrivaled in both its breadth spanning over 100 years of the hobby and the condition of the vintage cards.
Bridgewater Associates’ headquarters in Westport, Connecticut houses Dalio’s collection in a climate-controlled vault. Only a select few are given access to view it. In recent years, Dalio has loaned some of his rarest cards to major museums for exhibits on the history of baseball cards and American popular culture. He has also donated cards to charities to be raffled off for fundraising purposes. However, Dalio has no plans to ever sell his collection, keeping it intact for future generations to appreciate.
While Dalio’s net worth is estimated to be over $20 billion from his success with Bridgewater, the value of his baseball card collection is believed to eclipse $250 million based on recent rare card auction prices. Insiders say Dalio’s love for the hobby has only grown deeper with time. He enjoys researching the history behind each era and player represented. Dalio also takes immense pride in displaying his collection and sharing it with others who have a passion for both cards and America’s pastime. His story underscores how seemingly unrelated passions can emerge from one’s childhood and be nurtured throughout life.
