Fred McGriff had a long and productive Major League Baseball career spanning from 1986 to 2004. During that time, he established himself as one of the most feared sluggers in baseball. Known by his nickname “Crime Dog”, McGriff hit 493 career home runs and had over 1500 RBI. His prolific production at the plate resulted in him appearing on numerous baseball cards over the years, many of which have gained significant value from collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of McGriff’s notable baseball cards and explore what they may be worth today.
One of McGriff’s earliest and most sought after rookie cards is his 1986 Topps card (#454). That was the year he broke into the Majors with the Toronto Blue Jays after being drafted in the 1st round in 1981. The ’86 Topps set is considered a classic and McGriff’s rookie card holds historical significance as documenting his debut season. In mint condition, ungraded examples of McGriff’s ’86 Topps rookie have sold for over $300. Higher graded copies in PSA/BGS 10 can reach $500-1000 depending on the market. The ’86 set also had update cards and McGriff’s is highly valuable in the same condition ranges.
In 1987, McGriff switched teams and was traded to the San Diego Padres. That season is documented in his ’87 Topps card (#410). Still early in his career but no longer a true rookie, the ’87 has a lower pop than ’86 but still has collector demand. Near mint to mint copies sell for $50-150. The ’87 Update issue featuring McGriff is even more scarce and can sell for $200+ in gem condition. McGriff enjoyed his breakout season in 1988 with the Padres, smashing 36 home runs. His ’88 Fleer card (#337) shows him sporting the Padres uniform and menacing bat. Moderately played copies sell for under $10 but a PSA 10 has brought over $500 at auction.
After the 1988 season, McGriff signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves. There he would cement his reputation as one of the game’s most feared sluggers and help lead the Braves to great success in the 1990s. McGriff’s 1990 Bowman card (#86) from his first year in Atlanta captures him during this peak era. Graded examples in the PSA/BGS 8-10 range can bring $75-250 dependent on foil/parallel variations. McGriff enthusiastically slid head first on his 1991 Fleer Ultra card (#163), showing off his gritty playing style. Copies in great shape sell for around $15-30. A highlight card is McGriff’s 1992 Studio Gold O-Pee-Chee card which debuted the parallel insert set. Numbered to only 50 copies, a PSA 10 recently sold at auction for over $1000.
McGriff’s career took off even more in the early 1990s as the Braves dynasty began. His 1992 Stadium Club Gold Foil Parallel card (#97) from that championship season is one of the most visually striking cards featuring McGriff during his Atlanta peak. Only available through special pack inserts, a BGS 9.5 recently sold for over $600. McGriff’s 1993 Finest Refractor parallel rookie card (#75R) also captured him at the height of his powers. High graded versions in the BGS 9.5-10 range have reached over $400. McGriff achieved one of his career milestones with the Braves in 1994, reaching his 300th home run. His 1994 Studio Blue refractor parallel (#58/99) commemorates this achievement and higher grades have sold for $200+.
McGriff continued mashing home runs throughout the late 1990s with the Braves and other teams. His popular 1996 Ultra Gold Medallion parallel (#95) shows him entering his age 30 season still in his prime. A BGS 9.5 sold for $150. McGriff blasted his 400th home run in 1998 as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, with the milestone recognized on his 1998 Finest Refractor parallel (#151R). Higher graded PSA/BGS 10 versions have reached $250. McGriff closed out his career with a few more seasons including a return to the Braves in 2000, depicted on his popular 2000 Fleer Tradition autograph card (#105). Even played copies sell for $50-100 due to the signed component.
In summary, Fred McGriff produced many highly collectible baseball cards throughout his distinguished playing career spanning from the 1980s through early 2000s. Cards from his rookie seasons with the Blue Jays and early years with the Padres can be found for affordable prices in top grades. Cards showing McGriff achieving milestones or during his dominant Atlanta Braves years in the early 1990s command higher prices, especially for rare parallels. Overall, McGriff created a memorable on-field legacy that translates to strong collector demand for documentation of his productive career via the baseball card hobby. With over 18,000 certified cards on the market, discerning what key McGriff issues are worth investing in allows collectors an avenue to appreciate one of baseball’s greatest sluggers of the modern era.
