Brooks Robinson is widely considered one of the greatest third basemen in Major League Baseball history. Over his 23 year career spent entirely with the Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1977, Robinson established himself as a defensive wizard at the hot corner and a consistent offensive threat. He was named American League MVP in 1964 and was a 18-time Gold Glove Award winner, both records for a third baseman. Robinson’s iconic status and lengthy, highly successful career have made his signed baseball cards some of the most sought after memorabilia for collectors.
Robinson signed with the Orioles organization in 1955 after being selected in the 20th round of the June draft out of the University of Illinois. He made his MLB debut that September and would go on to play in 2,896 career games for Baltimore over the next two decades. Robinson established himself as the Orioles starting third baseman in 1956 and never looked back, becoming a mainstay in the lineup for the next 21 seasons. His defensive prowess was on full display from the beginning, winning the first of his record 18 Gold Glove Awards in 1960.
Offensively, Robinson was consistently among the league leaders at the hot corner. He recorded over 100 RBI six times and hit over 20 home runs four times in his career. Robinson’s breakout season came in 1964 when he batted .269 with 34 home runs and 88 RBI, earning him American League MVP honors. This cemented his status as not only the greatest defensive third baseman ever, but also one of the top all-around players at the position. Robinson was a key part of the powerful Orioles teams that won four pennants and three World Series titles between 1966 and 1971.
Robinson retired after the 1977 season, holding the record for games played at third base with 2,870 over his 23 year career. He remained with the Orioles organization as a coach and front office executive after his playing days ended. Robinson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, receiving 94.3% of the vote in his first year of eligibility. He is still widely considered the best defensive third baseman in MLB history based on both advanced metrics and the eye test of those who saw him play.
Given his iconic status in Baltimore and the success he enjoyed over two decades, Brooks Robinson signed cards from his playing career hold significant value for collectors. Some of his more desirable signed cards include:
1964 Topps: Robinson’s MVP season is one of the most collectible years for his signed cards. The 1964 Topps set is highly sought after in general. A PSA/DNA authenticated Brooks Robinson signed 1964 Topps card recently sold for over $2,000.
1970 Topps: Another popular year, as Robinson was in his prime during the late 1960s Orioles dynasty run. A PSA/DNA authenticated 1970 Topps Robinson card brought in around $1,500 at auction.
1972 Topps: Robinson’s last “action” card before transitioning more to manager shots in later years. Sold for over $1,000 recently.
1973 Topps: One of Robinson’s final active season cards. Sold for just under $1,000.
1977 Topps: Robinson’s farewell season card. Can fetch $800-900 with authentication.
1960 Topps Rookie: As one of the earliest Robinson cards available, his 1960 Topps rookie is highly coveted. Sold for nearly $4,000 in a Beckett Graded Gem Mint 10 slab.
Orioles Team Issue Cards: Robinson frequently signed team-produced Orioles cards during his post-playing career. These can reach $500-700 with authentication.
The rarer the Robinson signed card and the better its condition, the higher the price it will command from avid collectors. Professionally authenticated cards with a third-party Grading company like PSA or Beckett carry the most value. Even unslabbed Robinson signatures on key cards from his playing days can sell for several hundred dollars or more depending on the year and visual condition. As one of the true icons of baseball history, Brooks Robinson remains one of the most collectible signed names in the hobby.
