Category Archives: BASEBALL CARDS

WHERE CAN YOU SELL BASEBALL CARDS NEAR ME

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One of the most convenient options is to sell your baseball cards directly to a local card shop. Card shops are businesses that buy, sell, and trade sports cards and other collectibles. They provide an easy way to assess the value of your cards and make a transaction. To find card shops near you, you can search online directories like the Baseball Card Pedia Shop Locater. Simply input your city and it will list card shops in the local area along with their contact info. Then you can call ahead to make an appointment to bring in your cards for review.

Most card shops will look over your collection and provide you with cash offers for individual cards or your entire lot based on the current market value. They need to factor in a profit margin since they will be reselling. So generally expect to get 50-80% of what the cards could sell for online or at card shows. The advantage is convenience as you don’t have to deal with shipping or meet face-to-face with strangers. You can also trade cards in towards new inventory if you prefer.

Another local option is to consign your baseball cards to a collectibles shop. Unlike card shops, consignment stores don’t specialize specifically in sports cards but take all types of vintage and antique items on consignment. They will display your cards for sale in their retail location and handle any transactions. If a card sells, you’ll receive a percentage (often 50-60%) of the final sale price while the shop takes the rest as their commission.

The benefit here is you have access to their broader customer base. Rates may be a bit lower than directly at a card shop since consignment stores need to factor in operational costs too. You’ll also have less control over pricing and no access to your cards until they sell. To find consignment shop options near you, you can search platforms like ConsignmentNearMe.com.

Both local card shops and consignment stores are great starting points if you want a hassle-free method to offload cards from your collection. I’d recommend calling around to compare their offered rates before deciding. An initial visit will also allow you to get a feel if your cards will be properly displayed and valued. Overall these provide a safe, trusted option to sell locally.

If you want to maximize profits or have rare, highly valuable items, online marketplace platforms like eBay may be a better fit compared to local brick-and-mortar stores. You have access to a huge international collector base and can control your own pricing and photo/listing quality. For bulk common cards, sell times may be slower but top graded/rare cards can attract competitive bidding.

It’s important to take quality photos, accurately describe grades/condition, list appropriate shipping costs, and check sold comps when determining value. PayPal/eBay fees will take a cut (typically 10%) so price accordingly. Selling internationally increases fees slightly but also broadens your potential buyers. Either way, robust photos showcasing important details are key. You should also consider offering a refund/return policy to establish trust.

As with any online sale, there is risk from unscrupulous buyers who could claim an item isn’t as described. But with solid photos proving condition, you have protection from eBay’s Money Back Guarantee. Overall with time and experience, selling individually on platforms like eBay can potentially yield the most profit—but it requires more active management of listings and transactions.

A third popular local option is to rent a table at baseball or sports card shows held regularly in most major cities and larger towns. These multi-vendor events allow collectors to browse booths, make direct purchases from dealers, and find harder-to-locate graded cards and memorabilia all under one roof. As a seller, you pay a flat rental fee (typically $25-50) for a standard 6-8ft table and chairs.

While you won’t earn quite as much per item compared to online selling, card shows provide a unique chance to showcase larger collections curated by theme, year, player, or any criteria. People come to browse and are often looking specifically for types of cards you may have. It’s also entertaining to interact and potentially make valuable connections with fellow collectors and dealers. You’ll always find knowledgeable prospective buyers at shows who understand condition issues and value certain pieces far better than a typical online bidder.

As an added bonus, you have instant access to funds from any sales instead of waiting on payments to process. Upholding rigid organization, knowledgeable discussions, fair pricing, and personalizing your presentation are keys to success at shows and developing a reputation as a seller over time. Between online, local stores, and shows—selling baseball cards doesn’t need to be daunting. Doing your research and choosing methods that fit your collection will lead to rewarding transactions.

When trying to sell baseball cards near you, the top recommended options are to contact local card shops either for cash offers on your entire collection or to consign individual items. Be sure to call around and compare rates offered by multiple shops. If you don’t get desirable offers, taking your rare or high value pieces online using eBay or similar platforms allows reaching a global collector base with potential for higher profits—though also more effort managing sales. For an in-person experience vending your unique cards and collections, look into sports card shows regularly held locally as well. With careful planning on condition descriptions, pricing, and presentation for any sales method, you can fully capitalize on the value of your baseball memorabilia collection.

WHAT ARE THE MOST VALUABLE 1974 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1974 Topps baseball set is considered one of the most iconic sets in the history of the hobby. It was a time of transition as many of the stars from the 1960s were finishing their careers while a new generation of talent was emerging. Some of the rookie cards in this set would go on to become hugely valuable. While there are a few factors that determine card value such as player performance, popularity, and card condition, here are some of the most valuable 1974 Topps cards based on PSA 10 Gem Mint prices:

Nolan Ryan (#205): As one of the most intimidating and dominant pitchers ever, it’s no surprise that Nolan Ryan’s rookie card is the most valuable from the 1974 set. His expressive deliveries and record-breaking strikeouts made him a fan favorite. In PSA 10 condition, his rookie card recently sold for over $100,000 making it one of the most expensive modern baseball cards period. What makes it even more sought after is that there was low production on his card within the set.

George Brett (#250): George Brett had a long and storied career with the Kansas City Royals highlighted by a .305 career batting average and winning the 1980 MLB batting title with a .390 average. That success has translated to a very strong demand for his rookie card. High grade PSA 10 versions regularly sell for $15,000-$20,000 due to his iconic status within the game.

Don Sutton (#157): “Shuttey” Don Sutton was one of the most durable and consistent pitchers across the 1970s and 1980s. He amassed over 300 career wins and had 6 All-Star appearances. While not quite as flashy as Nolan Ryan, his sustained excellence and playing career until 1988 keeps his rookie card highly valuable in the $8,000+ range for a PSA 10.

Bert Blyleven (#265): Similar to Sutton, Blyleven racked up impressive counting stats including over 3,700 strikeouts and 287 wins despite toiling on mostly bad teams. He’s since become a Hall of Famer which has given his rookie card a nice boost in demand. In top PSA 10 condition, it now sells for $6,000+ due to his wider recognition.

Mike Schmidt (#397): The “Snapman” went on to have a first ballot Hall of Fame career primarily with the Philadelphia Phillies that saw him win 10 Gold Gloves and 3 MVP awards. He’s considered one of the greatest third basemen ever. In high grades his 1974 rookie card has surpassed the $5,000 price tag.

Rollie Fingers (#322): While not a true rookie card, 1974 was Rollie Fingers’ first card with the Oakland A’s after previous issues as a San Diego Padre. He would help transform the closer role and win the 1981 AL MVP and Cy Young awards. In PSA 10 condition his first A’s card sells for $4,000+ now.

There are numerous other valuable and desirable rookie cards in the 1974 set such as Lou Brock, Gary Carter, Tom Seaver, and Dave Winfield. overall, strong prices are found across the board for stars and rookie talent from this iconic vintage Topps release. With the mix of established legends and players who were just starting their careers in 1974, this set holds an especially unique lens into that transitionary period in baseball which continues to drive collector and investor appeal for these classic cardboard keepsakes today. The players, designs, and the stories they tell ensure these 1974 Topps baseball cards will remain among the most widely collected issues in the hobby.

HOW TO LOOK UP THE VALUE OF BASEBALL CARDS

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There are several ways to research the value of baseball cards. The first option is to use online price guide websites. Some of the most reputable online price guide sites for baseball cards include BaseballCardPedia, Beckett, and PSA SMR Price Guide. These sites allow you to search for cards by player name, team, set, year, and card number to get estimated average sale prices for cards in different conditions.

When using price guides, it’s important to understand the grading scale they use to determine condition. The main scales are the 10-point scale from PSA and SGC (1 being poor and 10 gem mint) and the verbal scale used by Beckett (poor, good, very good, etc.). Price can vary greatly depending on even minor differences in condition. It’s also a good idea to check multiple price guides if possible as estimated values can sometimes differ between sources.

In addition to overall condition, there are certain attributes that can raise or lower a card’s value such as the player’s fame and career accomplishments, key moments captured on the card, rare variations, autographs or memorabilia pieces. Understanding what drives the hobby is important when researching values. Vintage cards from the 1950s and 1960s as well as rookie cards tend to command higher prices in general.

Auction sites like eBay are another valuable research tool. You can search “sold listings” on eBay to see what identical or comparable cards have actually sold for after closing auctions. This gives you a snapshot of current market values. There can be outliers in eBay sales that don’t reflect true market value, such as cards that didn’t receive many bids or were part of a long-running auction. It’s best to analyze recent sold compilations from multiple eBay sellers to get an accurate value range.

Attending local card shows and conventions can also help with price research if you come prepared. Most major dealers will have price guides and be willing to provide value estimates if you have the card in hand for them to inspect. Showcasing large vintage collections is also common at these events, allowing you to directly compare your cards to similar ones for sale. And of course, you can try to sell or trade your cards at such events if you choose.

When deciding to sell cards, it’s important to carefully consider graders like PSA, SGC, BGS to professionally slabs cards to maintain high values. Groups and individual experts also exist online to assist with authentication. Fake and counterfeit cards are a real danger that can devalue collections. Proper storage in protective sleeves, books, and boxes is also important long-term to retain condition grades.

The value of baseball cards depends on extensive research of recent sale comps from reputable guides and marketplace sites factored by production details, player performance history, visual condition assessment under established grading scales. A multifaceted evaluation informed by price guides, group expertise, and market trends ensures the most accurate baseball card values possible. Regular research also allows collectors to follow ever-changing hobby markets and identify ascending values for investment opportunities over time. With dedication to comprehensive lookup methodologies detailed here, collectors can properly value their baseball card holdings.

WHERE CAN I SELL MY BASEBALL CARDS FOR CASH NEAR ME

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One of the most convenient options is to sell your baseball cards to a local card shop. Almost every major city has at least one or two shops that specialize in buying, selling, and trading sports cards. They will be able to give you an instant cash offer for your collection based on the condition and value of the individual cards. Selling to a local card shop is very easy, as they will simply evaluate your cards on the spot and pay you cash for them. You usually won’t get top dollar since the shop needs to make a profit when they resell the cards. But it’s a good option if you just want a simple transaction without a lot of hassle.

Another choice is to take your cards to a card show or card convention in your area. These are events, usually on weekends, where dozens or even hundreds of card dealers come together in one location to buy, sell, and trade cards. It’s a good opportunity to get a sense of the current market values for your cards by seeing what other dealers are offering for similar cards. You can take your entire collection around to various dealers at the show and get offers from multiple people, which increases the chances of getting top market value. Some negotiation may be required. The upside is you can potentially make more money this way than selling to a local shop, but it does involve more time and effort on your part.

If you have very valuable rare cards in your collection with individual values of $50 or more, your best option is to consign them to an established auction house. The two biggest sports card auctioneers are PWCC Marketplace and Goldin Auctions. They will feature high-end individual cards or complete collections on their online marketplaces. As the consignor, you would ship your valuable cards to the company and they will promote the auction, handle all bidding and transaction processes, and securely ship the cards to the buyers. For their services, the auction house will take a percentage (usually 10-20%) of the final sale price as their commission. This approach takes more time but you have a chance to get the absolute highest prices for your best cards since they are exposed to a global collector base through internet bidding.

Another method is to list your valuable individual cards or complete collection on a popular online sports card marketplace like eBay or COMC (Collectors Universe). You can set minimum bid prices and handle shipping yourself to buyers. The upside is you have access to the huge worldwide collector community on these sites. You need to be very careful with packaging/shipping to avoid damage or loss in transit. Also you’ll have to price the cards competitively to get interest and factor in the site’s transaction fees, which are usually around 13%. It may take time for high-value items to sell but it allows you to cast a wide net for buyers.

And finally, if you have a true star card like a rare rookie card of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, or other legendary player, your best option would be to consign it to a huge national auction house like Heritage Auctions. They specialize in premiere collectibles and rarest of the rare vintage cards that could realistically sell for $10,000 or more. A single card with that kind of potential value is worth exposing to their huge national and international collector network who spend big money on the true ultra-premium vintage pieces. Their commission percentage is higher at around 18-20% but you have the opportunity to maximize the price for a true crown jewel card through their name, promotion and trust within the high-end market.

For convenience and speed of cash in hand, a local card shop is the way to go for most collections. If you have time and want to possibly get more, attend a local card show. Consign rare individual pieces $50+ to PWCC or Goldin. List modest valuation cards on eBay/COMC. And for true star cards, Heritage Auctions is your best platform for maximizing price potential. Selling condition, current market, and value of specific cards should guide your choice of selling venue. I hope this overview of different options helps you choose the best approach to get the most money for your baseball cards near you. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

ARE ONYX BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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Onyx was a short-lived baseball card manufacturer that was in business from 1990-1991. During their brief time producing cards, Onyx inserted packs and boxes into the collecting market alongside the established leaders like Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. Due to their short print run and lack of brand recognition, Onyx cards are quite scarce today. This scarcity does make their cards intriguing to some collectors. Whether Onyx cards actually hold monetary value depends on a few key factors.

To understand the worth of Onyx cards, it’s important to know about the company’s history and place in the late 80s/early 90s baseball card market. Onyx was established by entertainment executive George Grief and sought to compete with the major card companies. They had agreements with MLB Properties and the MLB Players Association to use team logos and player likeness on their cards. Onyx released cards in 1990 and 1991 featuring current major leaguers as the flagship part of their offerings. They also had oddball sets like turn-back-the-clock cards showing players from past eras.

Despite having the licenses, Onyx faced an uphill battle against the established brands that had built up collector trust and loyal fan followings over decades. Distribution of Onyx products was also limited compared to Topps, Donruss, etc. Many retail outlets declined to carry yet another baseball card brand. Without wider availability, it was difficult for Onyx to gain traction among the collector base. The early 1990s marked the tail end of the junk wax era when overproduction had saturated the market. Collectors were more selective about what new cards and companies they supported.

After just two years, Onyx ceased operations in 1991 amid struggling sales. Their short print run combined with lack of broader popularity has made Onyx cards some of the scarcer issues from the late 80s-early 90s period. That scarcity does not directly translate to high monetary value for most Onyx cards in the current market. There are a few key reasons why:

Reputational issues – As an unestablished brand during the junk wax era, Onyx never developed the collector goodwill of the bigger companies. Some skepticism remains about their collectibility long-term.

Condition concerns – Due to their short time on the market, Onyx cards tend not to have been cared for as meticulously as issues fromestablished brands. Higher-grade specimens are tougher to come by.

Overproduction elsewhere – While Onyx editions were more limited than contemporaries, the late 80s/early 90s period overall saw immense overproduction that has depressed values across the board.

Niche appeal – The scarce Onyx issues tend to be more attractive to niche collectors pursuing complete runs or oddball sets rather than the general population.

Alternative investments – Many collectors in recent decades have put more emphasis on vintage cards or star rookie cards rather than lesser-known 1990s brands like Onyx when building baseball collections.

So while the scarcity of Onyx cards makes them novel, that alone does not guarantee price premiums in the marketplace. The top rookies, stars and more historically significant Onyx cards can carry values of $10-50 or more in high grades. Most run-of-the-mill common player issues are unlikely to fetch more than a few dollars even in pristine condition. True high-end Onyx cards that could exceed $100 are exceptionally rare. Unless a collector has a specific focus on the Onyx sets, there are generally more lucrative investment options from the same era. While the short printing makes Onyx cards a interesting niche in the market, their lack of brand prestige and weaker player selection means high values are elusive for most issues from the company overall. Scarcity does not necessarily equate to profitability long-term as a collectible investment.

While Onyx baseball cards have an aura of intrigue and scarcity due to the company’s brief history, most issues do not carry high monetary value today. Their lack of brand recognition, product distribution challenges, and release during the oversaturated late 80s/early 90s landscape make Onyx a second-tier collectible investment compared to the giants of that era like Topps and Donruss. Only the most significant Onyx rookie cards, stars or oddball sets tend to cross the $100 threshold. But for niche collectors pursuing complete sets, some Onyx cards hold more value as curiosities than financial assets. The bottom line is scarcity alone does not make a profitable collectible, as issues like reputation, condition, and overall player selection still greatly impact demand and pricing long-term.

HOW DO I KNOW MY BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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One of the first things you’ll want to do is carefully examine the condition and quality of the cards. The better the condition, the more valuable they are likely to be. Look at the centering, corners and edges for any bends, wrinkles or other flaws. Make sure to evaluate both the front and back of the card. Minor flaws won’t significantly impact value but heavier wear can drastically reduce what it’s worth. You’ll also want to check for any water damage signs which are very detrimental.

Grading the card condition is a good next step. The main companies that do this are PSA, BGS and SGC. They will review the card closely and assign a numerical grade from 1-10 with 10 being flawless “gem mint” condition. Generally speaking, any common player card needs to be a PSA 8 or higher to have substantial value. A PSA 10 is considered pristine and will be worth notably more for most sought after players and rookies. You can submit your cards for professional grading for a fee if you believe they are high quality specimens. Otherwise, familiarize yourself with condition standards so you can self grade.

It’s important to verify that any players whose cards you have were legitimate big league ballplayers. Check reliable sources like Baseball Reference to ensure their stats are documented. Many online auction/marketplace sites now also have robust player verification information. Watch out for counterfeits of stars which are unfortunately not uncommonplace. Stick to grading guidelines and holograms/trademarks as counterfeits often have flaws.

The next step is identifying specifics about the card such as the year, set, brand and parallel variant if applicable. More scarce older cards from the pre-1980s as well as star rookie cards tend to carry much higher values. Popular modern sets like Topps Series 1 & 2 and Bowman Chrome also command higher prices. Examine things like special parallels, autographs, patches or serial numbering which can dramatically boost value of certain cards. Factors like these are why no two cards are truly alike even if of the same player and year.

Researching recent sales prices of comparable condition cards will give you an idea what your cards could reasonably be worth. Sites like eBay allow you to search “sold” listings to see actual closing hammer prices. Be sure to filter for the exact same year, set, brand and grade level if professionally graded. Auction prices can vary widely based on current demand and number of bidders so it’s best to analyze many recent examples. Popular price guide services like PSA and Beckett also provide general estimated market values but individual auction prices are better references.

Your best options once knowing estimated values are either holding onto investment quality cards long term or consigning high end pieces with an experienced card auction house or reputable online seller. The auction route involves fees but provides the broadest market exposure. Otherwise you can try selling on your own via eBay, local shops or social media marketplaces like Facebook. Just be sure any lower end common cards are reasonably priced to actually sell. Reach out if any cards seem especially rare or valuable – a expert can properly assess. With diligent research and patience, you indeed may have a hidden collection of monetarily noteworthy baseball cards! Let me know if any other questions come up.

Carefully examining card conditions, verifying player authenticity, learning specifics about the card issue and comparing to recent sold prices of equivalents are key steps to determine monetary value potential of your baseball cards. Condition drives value the most, so accurately self-grading is important. With a combination of research and potentially expert assessment, one can gain insight into whether any cards in their collection could have meaningful worth from a financial standpoint either currently or with longer term investment potential. Proper authentication, diligent pricing research andselecting reputable consignment/sale options for high end pieces are important to maximize value realized if choosing to eventually sell rather than keep cards long term. Hopefully these tips provide a thorough overview of the Baseball card grading, research and marketing process.

WHERE TO BUY CASES OF BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the largest and most reliable places to purchase cases of baseball cards is through online sports card vendors and distributors. Buying in bulk directly from these sources allows you to get good deals on full sealed cases. Some top options for case quantities include:

Dave and Adam’s Card World: They are one of the largest and most well-established online sports card retailers. DACW sells sealed cases of most recent MLB sets from Topps, Panini, Leaf, etc. Cases typically include 30-36 factory sealed boxes. They guarantee the cases are shipped sealed to preserve the randomness of packs. DACW also sells cases of older vintage sets from the 1980s-2000s when available.

Steel City Collectibles: Another very large online card vendor that maintains stock of sealed cases. SCC has MLB licensing so they can sell sealed wax cases of current Topps flagship and Allen & Ginter sets. They also get inventory of sealed cases for Panini sports releases. SCC aims to keep prices competitive compared to other distributors.

Blowout Cards: Known best for individual singles but also sells sealed boxes and cases from manufacturers. Blowout gets inventory directly from the sources so you can buy sealed, randomized cases with confidence in their quality. They stock cases for MLB, NFL, basketball, soccer, and non-sports releases currently being produced.

Dave’s Cards: More of a specialty hobby shop located in Florida but also does online case sales. Dave’s works directly with card manufacturers to get sealed cases prior to public release dates. This can be a good option if you want to buy a case of the newest hot set before elsewhere sells out. They charge a premium for the early access though.

Lelands: While more focused on high-end vintage cards and auctions, they do periodically list sealed wax cases from the 1980s-90s on their website. These old cases contain 36 factory sealed packs or boxes and are a nostalgic way to try ripping vintage wax. Lelands tests the seals are intact before shipping the full unsearched case.

Beyond just online retailers, you may also be able to find case quantities from local hobby shops, collector shows, or group breaks run through Facebook groups. Some hobby shops will break larger wholesale boxes into pre-organized subsets or cases that they then resell. Collector card shows sometimes have vendors with sealed cases for sale too. On Facebook, groups dedicated to group breaks or case breaks may periodically have extra full unbroken cases available for sale at a discount after a break event. Buying directly at local hobby shops or shows removes shipping costs but may have less selection versus the major online distributors.

Wherever you buy from, look for guarantees the cases are sealed by the manufacturer and have not been searched or tampered with prior to arriving sealed in your hands. Reputable vendors know intact sealed cases are important to maintain the integrity and collectibility of the cards inside. Request seals be intact upon delivery too. Cases purchased directly from major distributors like Dave & Adam’s or Steel City are safest bets for genuine factory sealed product.

Another option is to watch eBay for auction listings of sealed cases, but there is more risk the seals could have been broken without the seller being truthful about the case contents having been searched or resealed. Seals can also get damaged in shipping if not properly packaged. So cases from known hobby retailers tend to be the most reliable sources versus taking that chance on an individual eBay case sale from an unknown seller.

With cases, you have the fun of doing a large group break of packs/boxes with family/friends or turning around and doing individual randomized box or pack breaks online yourself to gain subs. There are also speculation opportunities to store sealed cases away long term for potential future appreciation as investment holdings depending on the particular sets involved. Buying in case quantities through reputable dealers allows you to maximize value for money while preserving the integral randomness and collectibility of the cards inside. Let me know if any other questions!

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH ANYTHING

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The first step is to identify the players and year of the cards. Focus on oldercards from the 1970s and prior as those are more likely to hold significant value compared to modern era cards from the 2000s onward. You’ll want to pay close attention to star players from each era, especially those who had Hall of Fame careers like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, etc.

Once you know the players and years, your next step is to check the condition and grade of the cards. Minor flaws or wear can drastically decrease a card’s value, so you’ll want to analyze each card closely. Considerations include the centering (how perfectly centered between the borders the image is), corners (are they still sharp and not rounded off), edges (any wear or damages), and surface (any scratches, clouding, or fading of colors over time).

Top grade quality cards in near-mint or gem mint condition have the highest values. An online search can give you an idea of what to look for in terms of characteristics that designate a card’s condition at the professional grading levels like PSA or Beckett. Things like centering being off slightly or a minor surface scratch could drop a card’s perceived grade. Of course, raw ungraded cards are still worth something based on condition alone through online sales comparisons.

Once you understand the players, years, conditions and perceive grades, your best resource is to conduct recent sales lookups online. Websites like eBay, COMC, and 130point.com allow you to search for “sold” listings of specific cards to see actual prices they have fetched in recent transactions between collectors. Pay close attention to matches in player, year, set, and grade/condition to most accurately gauge estimated value based on current market demand and prices.

Considerations like serial numbered parallels, autographs, rare variations, and especially unprecedented rookie cards can substantially increase values beyond standard issue cards as well. Examples include a rare Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft RC refractor #/99 serially numbered parallel in PSA 10 condition easily selling for well over $10,000 in today’s market. Use this sales data research method to value each card individually based on its traits.

Once you feel comfortable with estimated values, your preferred selling option is also crucial to maximizing potential returns. Individual card sales through eBay auctions generally fetch highest prices, but involve fees. Selling multiple higher end cards together in a group lot through online sports/card auction houses could yield better overall profits versus trying to individually move many low dollar common cards. You may also consider consigning through an established dealer if having several valuable vintage cards to potentially yield a percentage return after a lengthy grading/consignment process.

In the end, understanding each card’s rarity attributes combined with a similar condition and sales lookup research approach is critical for accurately determining if your baseball cards could hold any substantial value in today’s collectibles marketplace. With some valuable cards potentially worth hundreds or thousands, it pays to take the necessary identification and valuation steps to properly assess your sports card collection’s financial potential. I hope this overview provides a detailed and reliable guide on how best to tell if your baseball cards are worth anything of significant value. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

HOW MANY WILD CARDS TEAMS IN BASEBALL

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The wild card system was introduced in MLB in 1995 to address concerns that divisional play had resulted in many teams with winning records missing the playoffs. Previously, only the teams with the best regular season records in each league made the postseason, regardless of their division standings. With the addition of a second wild card team in 2012, MLB expanded playoff access for non-division winners while also increasing the potential length and excitement of the postseason.

Under the current format, each league’s regular season consists of six divisions – three divisions of five teams each in the American League and three divisions of five teams each in the National League. At the end of the 162-game regular season, the three division winners from each league, comprising six total teams, earn automatic berths in their league’s division series round of the playoffs. Beyond the six division winners, the two teams in each league with the next best regular season records, irrespective of division, earn the wild card spots.

This means that in each league, there are two wild card teams for a total of four wild card teams across MLB. The wild card team with the best record hosts the one with the second-best record in a single wild card game. The winner of each league’s wild card game then goes on to face the top-seeded division winner in the best-of-five league division series. Having two wild card spots per league rather than just one allows two additional teams with winning records to have a chance to compete for the pennant in the postseason each year.

A notable aspect of the MLB wild card system is that it is possible for a team to win its division with a worse record than a wild card team. For example, if all three division winners in a league finish with records below 85-77 but the two wild card teams are 86-76 and 85-77, the 86-76 team would host the 85-77 team in the wild card game despite any of the three division winners having an inferior record. While somewhat untraditional, this outcome reflects MLB’s priority of rewarding division championships over best overall records alone. It also means wild card races can remain highly competitive down to the last day of the long 162-game regular season.

The introduction and subsequent expansion of wild card spots has added excitement and increased the number of teams realistically competing for a World Series berth deep into September. It also led to the introduction of the single wild card game in 2012. While some analysts argue this dilution of the regular season could reduce its importance over time, MLB’s postseason format continues to evolve in seeking to balance rewarding top teams against maintaining the relevance of more clubs later in the year. Generally, the two wild card spots per league have been viewed as a successful change that has made more teams’ seasons meaningful well into the summer and created additional dramatic playoff matchups each October.

In conclusion, Major League Baseball’s current playoff system features two wild card teams in both the American and National Leagues. The wild card format expands postseason access for teams that finish the regular season with winning records but outside of their division’s top three spots. It creates additional compelling races and single-game dramatic win-or-go-home matchups to start each league’s division series. While not a perfect system, the wild card has added to the depth of competition and extended the relevance and excitement of the regular season deep into September in modern MLB.

WHAT ARE THE BEST BASEBALL CARDS TO COLLECT IN 2023

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In 2023, there will be several excellent baseball card options to consider collecting across both modern and vintage sets. With new rookie stars continuing to emerge and historic legends appreciating in value, the hobby remains as strong as ever. Let’s take a look at some of the top baseball cards collectors should keep an eye on over the next year.

For modern cards, one of the most coveted rookie cards will undoubtedly be Grapefinch’s Tatis Jr. Prizm Orange Refractor rookie from 2018. As one of the game’s brightest young stars, Fernando Tatis Jr.’s on-field accomplishments have cemented this as one of the must-own cards in any collection. With a near-perfect 10 career WAR already at age 24, Tatis’ upside is limitless. As he continues producing All-Star caliber seasons, expect this card to climb well above its current $800+ price tag.

Speaking of young sluggers, Wander Franco’s Topps Chrome Refractory rookie from 2021 should also maintain strong collector interest. After a monster campaign that saw him hit .288 with 7 homers in just 70 games, Franco announced his arrival as a true five-tool talent. His rookie cards have already gained over 200% in the last year, and more gains appear likely as he establishes himself as a perennial MVP candidate for the rising Rays. Grading companies like PSA could drive additional interest and appreciation here as well.

Rookies aren’t the only modern cards worth watching either. Shohei Ohtani’s uniquely high-impact two-way skills have made virtually anything featuring the AL MVP equally as desirable. His 2021 Topps Fire Red Parallel /99 and Silver Pack Refractor /70 parallels especially stand out for their rarity and flashy design elements. As Ohtani cements his case as the best all-around player since Babe Ruth, these short-printed cards are sure to be in high demand.

Vintage collectors should monitor several iconic pieces as well. For starters, any high-grade copy of Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps rookie card should remain one of the priciest and most coveted vintage cards on the market. Graded examples have recently sold north of $2M, highlighting its legend and universal appeal. Mantle’s 1953 Bowman color or any of his pre-rookie cards from 1951-52 also hold incredible value recognized by collectors worldwide.

Another vintage legend poised for major appreciation is the T206 Honus Wagner. As one of the rarest and most desired cards ever printed over 100 years ago, any high-quality Wagner example will certainly attract serious bids from the hobby’s biggest spenders. Just one PSA NM-MT 8 copy sold for $3.25M in 2021, underscoring the card’s untouchable collectibility even at astronomical prices. With the hobby’s continued growth, new height’s seem attainable.

Shifting to other sports legends, collectors would be wise to keep an eye on Roberto Clemente’s 1966 Topps rookie and Willie Mays’ 1952 Bowman color. Both men transcended the game of baseball and still resonate with new generations of fans today. In a market that rewards iconic stars, condition-sensitive examples of these all-timers hold similar potential to the cards previously mentioned.

Newer star power like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. all boast rookies that could explode over the next calendar year. Still early in their careers but with enormous upside, a big contract extension or MVP season could catapult interest dramatically. Especially for the 2018 Bowman Chrome refractory rookies, high grades will be critical to maximizing returns.

In summary, 2023 shapes up as another banner year for collecting legendary players, new faces of the franchise, and truly iconic vintage cardboard. With so many phenomenal talents shining on the diamond, their corresponding trading cards make for compelling long-term investments. By focusing on the game’s biggest names, highest graded copies, and most influential designs, collectors stand the best chance of selecting materials that maintain relevance for decades to come. The hobby’s bright future depends on preserving its rich history.