The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 1969, the Brewers have a long and storied history in Major League Baseball. Part of the enthusiasm for Brewers fandom is collecting autographed memorabilia from your favorite players. Autographed baseball cards from Brewers players over the years are some of the most prized possessions a fan can own. Let’s take a deeper look at the history and value of Milwaukee Brewers autographed baseball cards.
One of the earliest periods of Brewers autographed cards that collectors seek are from the 1970s, when the team was in its infancy. Robin Yount rookie cards from his 1974 season are highly coveted, as Yount went on to have a Hall of Fame career spent entirely with the Brewers franchise. His autograph on his rookie card can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the card’s condition and prominence of the autograph. Other 1970s stars whose autographed rookie cards are valued include Sixto Lezcano, Sal Bando, George Scott, and Charlie Moore. These early autos help document the founding of the Brewers organization.
The 1982 team featured in the film “Major League” is also a memorable era for Brewers collectors. Players like Gorman Thomas, Ben Oglivie, Rollie Fingers, and Harvey Kuenn, whose autos grace cards from that season, remind fans of the “loveable losers” team and underdog story portrayed in the hit movie. While common unsigned, fully autographed cards from this era can still sell for well over $100 even today. The nostalgia from the “Major League” connection keeps interest high in autos from Brewers stars of that late 70s/early 80s period.
The late 1980s Brewers clubs featured perhaps their all-time best player in Robin Yount, who won the 1982 and 1989 MVP awards. Paul Molitor also had an excellent Brewers career during this time. Autos on their high quality late 80s Donruss, Fleer, or Topps cards still hold value in the $75-150 range normally. Cubs like Geoff Jenkins, Ben Sheets, and Damian Miller also populated these rosters, with their rookie cards autographed potential bargains today. This spans the Brewers’ rise to respectability in the AL during the late 80s.
The 1990s saw continued success, including division titles in 1981, 1992, 1993, and an appearance in the 1982 World Series. Signature standouts of that decade include pitchers Teddy Higuera, Cal Eldred, Doug Henry, and catchers Dave Nilsson and Scott Servais. Having a signed rookie or star card from players who contributed to the Brewers’ competitive ways during the early 90s nostalgia is exciting for collectors. Prices have dipped but demand remains fairly stable for autographed cards of Brewers contributors from the team’s last championship season in 1982.
Entering the new millennium, household names like Richie Sexson, Jose Hernandez, and Luis Garcia headlined the early 2000s clubs. While the autos might not fetch huge dollars yet, savvy collectors know that appreciation will come as this generation of fans enters adulthood. The same could be said for later 2000-2010 stars like Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, Corey Hart, and Yovani Gallardo. Having their low-serial-numbered rookies signed could yield real returns down the line as these players’ careers are better remembered.
In more modern times, the 2011 inaugural season at Miller Park makes autos from players meaningful to that transition like Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, and John Axford historic. Braun’s recent struggles don’t diminish the appeal of an auto’d card from his early MVP seasons. The current Brewers, led by Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, and Josh Hader, are keeping fans engaged. As this new core establishes itself, an auto on one of their early stars’ rookie cards could be a savvy investment.
Whether seeking the earliest team icons like Yount, Molitor, and Fingers or today’s emerging talents, autographed Brewers cards are a fun way for diehard fans to connect to their favorite franchise’s storied past and future. With conditioning and some patience, the right autos can even gain considerably in value down the road. For dedicated Brewers collectors, finding that special signed card from players who left their mark on this proud Midwestern club is a true treat and great conversation piece for any sports memorabilia collection.
