Chris Sewall had a relatively short but productive career in Major League Baseball, playing as a catcher for five seasons between 1986 and 1990. Though he didn’t achieve superstar status, Sewall made his mark both on the field and in the collectible card industry through the baseball cards issued during his playing days. Let’s take an in-depth look at Chris Sewall’s baseball card history.
Sewall was drafted by the New York Mets in the 5th round of the 1984 amateur draft out of the University of Maine. He made his big league debut with the Mets in 1986 at age 24 after working his way up through the minor leagues. Sewall’s rookie card came in the 1986 Topps set, issued during his first MLB season. The design of 1986 Topps cards featured a photo of the player on the front with their name, team, and position below. On the back was stats from the previous season along with a short biography. Sewall’s rookie card shares the standard design and marks the beginning of his baseball card collecting legacy.
In 1987, Sewall appeared in cards from both Topps and rival brand Fleer. The Topps 1987 card kept the same basic front/back layout as the previous year. Fleer issued their first baseball cards since 1982 that season. Their design placed the photo on the left with stats/text wrapping around it. Both Sewall’s Topps and Fleer cards from 1987 hold value for collectors as they were produced during his second MLB campaign. He also had minor roles in the 1987 Donruss and Score sets.
Sewall’s best season came in 1988 as he broke out with career-highs in batting average (.277), home runs (8), and RBI (37) while playing in a career-most 97 games for the Mets. He was recognized for his breakout year by appearing on special rookie/star rookie insert cards in 1988 Donruss and Score sets alongside other up-and-coming young players. Sewall’s strong ’88 campaign increased interest in his base cards as well from the Topps, Fleer, and Donruss brands that year.
In January 1989, Sewall was traded from the Mets to the Chicago Cubs. He switched teams midway through his career, appearing in Cubs uniforms on his 1989 cards. The Topps, Fleer, and Score issues that year featured Sewall in his new Cubs duds. He also gained additional card exposure by being included in the new Upper Deck set, which burst onto the scene in 1989 and became an instant hit among collectors. Sewall’s Upper Deck rookie card from that year holds nice value due to the brand’s popularity.
Sewall split the 1990 season between the Cubs and Boston Red Sox before retiring at age 28. He received cards in the Topps, Fleer, and Stadium Club sets in 1990, marking the end of his baseball card-issuing career. In total, Sewall appeared in cards from nine different brands between 1986-1990 spanning his five-year MLB tenure. While he didn’t achieve the fame of superstar players, Sewall made a name for himself in the collectible card world through his consistent cardboard presence during his playing days.
Even after leaving the game, interest in Sewall’s cards remained strong due to his status as a complete MLB career-spanning player. His rookie cards from Topps (1986) and Fleer (1987) are still widely collected today. Other key cards include his 1988 Donruss/Score rookie stars issues highlighting his breakout season and 1989 Upper Deck RC as the brand’s inaugural year. Sewall’s final career cards from 1990 also hold nostalgic appeal. While never extremely valuable, his complete set of cards provides a comprehensive history of his MLB tenure for enthusiasts.
Though just a role player during his five years in the big leagues, Chris Sewall made a lasting impact on the baseball card collecting scene. He gained card issues from nine different manufacturers spanning 1986-1990. Key rookie and star cards from his early career still attract collectors today. Sewall’s consistent cardboard presence immortalized his MLB tenure and career for fans. While not the biggest name, his story shows that even short careers can achieve lasting legacy through the world of baseball cards if represented comprehensively as Sewall’s was.
