Ken Griffey Sr. had a long, successful Major League Baseball career playing for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Seattle Mariners from 1973 to 1991. While he may not be as well known or acclaimed as his Hall of Fame son Ken Griffey Jr., Griffey Sr. was a highly talented player in his own right who had some valuable baseball cards issued during his playing days. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at Griffey Sr.’s career highlights and analyze which of his vintage baseball cards remain popular and hold value for collectors today.
Griffey Sr. was originally drafted by the Reds in the 3rd round of the 1970 amateur draft out of Alter High School in Dayton, Ohio. He made his MLB debut with Cincinnati in 1973 and went on to play 13 seasons with the Reds, establishing himself as a productive outfielder and stabilizing presence in their lineup. Among Griffey Sr.’s career accomplishments include being a two-time All-Star selection in 1977 and 1980. He compiled excellent career stats of .296 batting average, 152 home runs, 758 RBI, and 122 stolen bases in 1,596 games played.
Some of Griffey Sr.’s most valuable baseball card issues come from his time with the Reds in the 1970s. High-demand ’70s rookie and star Reds cards that collectors seek out include his 1973 Topps #140 RC, 1974 Topps #136, 1977 Topps #176 (All-Star), and 1980 Topps #188 graded mint example can fetch $100+ each. Additional noteworthy Griffey Sr. Reds cards include his 1978 Topps Traded #40T, 1979 SSPC #37, and 1981 Topps #60. These mid-70s to early-80s Griffey Sr. Reds issues generally sell in the $15-50 range depending on condition and scarcity.
After 13 seasons with Cincinnati, Griffey Sr. was traded to the New York Yankees after the 1985 season. His stint with the Yankees was brief as he played only 36 games for them in 1986 before being released. Griffey Sr.’s most valuable Yankees card is likely his 1986 Topps #355 RC which has found renewed interest from collectors over recent years. Examples graded Gem Mint sell in the $75-150 range.
It was with the Seattle Mariners starting in 1987 that Griffey Sr. would enjoy a career renaissance late in his career. He often mentored and batted ahead of his electrifying rookie son Ken Griffey Jr. on the up-and-coming Mariners teams of the late 1980s. Griffey Sr.’s key late career Mariners cards worth following include his 1987 Topps #464 RC graded gems $60-100, 1989 Fleer Update #U15 $30-60, and 1989 Upper Deck #104 $50-100 among others.
Perhaps Griffey Sr.’s most collectible and visually appealing card from his Mariners tenure is from 1989 Upper Deck. The unparalleled photography, premium stock, and Griffey Sr. standing alongside his rookie son Ken Jr. on this card gives it lasting nostalgia and appeal for collectors today. Higher graded examples of this iconic Griffey Sr./Jr. dual Mariners issue in PSA/BGS slabs can sell for $200-400. Griffey Sr.’s earlier Mariners cards generally sell in the $10-40 range depending on condition and scarcity.
While Griffey Sr. may not be as big a name to collectors as Ken Griffey Jr., his long and successful MLB career resulted in many vintage baseball cards issued throughout the 1970s and 80s gaining lasting popularity and financial value. Key issues to target include Griffey Sr.’s 1970s ‘Rookie’ and star era Reds cards, his scarce 1986 Yankees RC, as well as late career Mariners cards showing him alongside his son Jr. With Griffey Sr.’s son being a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the most beloved players ever, interest in cards featuring both Griffeys together will likely remain high for a long time to come. For dedicated vintage baseball card collectors, focusing on high grade and scarce Griffey Sr. issues can make for a rewarding area of collection.
