Cy Young is widely considered to be one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. During his 22-year career that spanned from 1890 to 1911, Young amassed an astounding 511 wins, which remains the all-time record. It’s no surprise then that Cy Young cards are some of the most sought after and valuable in the hobby of baseball card collecting.
Some of the earliest Cy Young cards come from tobacco issues in the early 1900s from companies like Allen & Ginter, American Caramel, and Old Mill. These antique tobacco cards featured images of Young that were printed using a crude lithographic process. Production values were low and the images are often faded or damaged. Still, they represent some of the first cardboard representations of the legendary hurler and are highly coveted by collectors.
One of the most famous early Cy Young cards is the 1902 American Caramel issue. Featuring a portrait image of Young in a Boston Americans uniform, it ranks as one of the tougher tobacco cards to find in high grade. In gem mint condition, examples have sold at auction for over $100,000. The rarity and condition challenges associated with these antique issues make them out of reach for most collectors.
The modern baseball card era began in the 1950s with the introduction of glossy cardboard issues by Topps. Their 1952 set included the first post-WWII Cy Young card, showing an image of the Hall of Famer as a member of the Cleveland Indians late in his career. While plentiful in raw form, high grade examples with sharp corners and clean surfaces can still fetch four-figure prices.
Topps continued to feature Young throughout the 1950s and early 1960s as the company gained exclusivity over the baseball card market. Notable issues include his 1954, 1955, 1960, and 1962 cards. The 1960 card stands out for using a photo of Young as a manager, making it one of the few cards to depict him post-playing career. PSA/BGS gem mint 10 specimens have sold in the $800-1000 range in recent years.
The advent of color photography and extensive baseball card sets in the 1970s provided numerous opportunities for Cy Young cards over the following decades. Topps, Fleer, and Donruss all paid tribute to the pitching legend on numerous occasions. It was a 1981 Fleer card that is arguably his most iconic modern issue. Featuring a brilliant action shot of a young Cy delivering a pitch, it perfectly captures the skill and poise that made him a star at the turn of the 20th century. High grade versions remain quite valuable at $200-300 each.
Upper Deck had a virtual monopoly over baseball cards in the early 1990s and their 1990 issue gave collectors another chance at a classic Cy Young card. Using a regal black and white portrait, it exudes old time baseball nostalgia. Pristine mint condition specimens with perfect centering can reach $80-100. Several years later in 1995, Upper Deck also produced one of the rarest Young parallels ever. Their Ultra Rare Refractors were limited to only 10 copies printed and routinely sell for over $10,000 in auctions.
In the 2000s and 2010s, Cy Young has continued to be featured on numerous inserts and parallel cards from the major manufacturers. Panini produced some impressive retro styled issues paying homage to his early career. Topps Heritage also used antique-style artwork on multiple occasions. It was Topps’ 2020 Allen & Ginter set that may have produced the most unique Young card yet – an autograph parallel signed by Cy himself circa 1907. Only 5 were produced, making each one worth a small fortune to collectors.
As one of the first icons of the national pastime, Cy Young’s legend and accomplishments will always be remembered in baseball. His lengthy and record-setting career paved the way for pitchers in the modern era. Not surprisingly, cards featuring “The Big Fellow” remain a vital part of the collecting landscape. From antique tobacco issues to modern parallels, Cy Young cards continue to captivate collectors over a century after his playing days ended. With rarities worth tens of thousands and commons still under $10, there is a Cy Young card for virtually every budget. They stand as some of the most enduring and collectible pieces of cardboard linked to baseball’s storied history.
