Lyle Overbay had a notable 13-year career in Major League Baseball as a first baseman and left fielder. While he never achieved superstar status, Overbay established himself as a reliable role player and contributor to several playoff teams over his career. Due to his lengthy MLB tenure from 2001 to 2013, baseball card collectors have had many opportunities to add Overbay cards to their collections over the years. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the more notable and valuable Lyle Overbay baseball cards that exist.
One of Overbay’s earliest notable rookie cards is his 2002 Topps card #432. This marked his debut in the flagship Topps set after making his MLB debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. While not extremely rare given it was produced during his rookie year, this card remains one of the more identifiable early Overbay cards for collectors. PSA 10 gem mint copies in excellent condition have recently sold in the $15-20 range.
In 2003, Overbay had his breakout season with Arizona, batting .301 with 20 home runs and 100 RBI. This led to more prominent cards in 2003 sets. His 2003 Bowman card #285 BBM shows a close-up photo of Overbay in a Diamondbacks uniform. Near-mint copies of this card in PSA 8 condition have sold for around $10-15. Also from 2003 is Overbay’s Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Refractors insert card #FFR-OO. Only available as an ultra-short print refractory insert, PSA 10 mint versions of this rare parallel have reached up to $80-$100 online recently.
After the 2003 season, Overbay was traded from Arizona to the Toronto Blue Jays. This resulted in his first cards depicting him as a member of the Blue Jays. His 2004 Topps base card #660 captured his change of scenery. Raw near-mint copies in good condition are relatively affordable at $2-5. But PSA 10 gem mint versions have exceeded $30 with his new Toronto uniform and playoff team context. Also from 2004 is Overbay’s Topps Chrome card #218, showing off his photo in the shiny chrome parallel design. PSA 10 chrome gems of this card bring $15-25.
In 2005, Overbay hit a career-high 27 home runs for Toronto and made his lone All-Star Game appearance. This led to some of his more significant modern era cards. His 2005 Topps Gold parallel refractor #158 captures his All-Star status that year in a scarce parallel format. PSA 10 gold refractors have sold for $60-80 lately. An equally scarce parallel is his 2005 Bowman Chrome Blue refractor #122 BGS, showing the rarer blue refractory design coveted by parallel collectors. Near-mint BGS 9 copies have reached $50. His 2005 Topps Total card #T188 celebrates Overbay’s first 30 home run season in eye-catching style. PSA 10 pristine editions have traded hands for $30-40.
After being traded again, this time to the Atlanta Braves, Overbay’s 2006 cards depict him with yet another new team. His 2006 Topps flagship card #663 captures this change and can be found for under $5 in worn condition. But a PSA 10 gem costs $15-20. Also new that year was his 2006 Topps Chrome refractor parallel #210. Near-mint PSA 8 copies sell for $10-15. Overbay spent just half a season with Atlanta before being dealt once more.
Overbay landed with the Milwaukee Brewers organization for 2007, where he would play parts of four seasons. This resulted in several cards showing him as a Brewer. His 2007 Topps base card #809 is very affordable at $1-3 raw. But a PSA 10 mint copy has sold for $15-20. A more visually striking parallel from 2007 is his Topps Chrome Refractors Green #177. Near-mint PSA 8 versions have brought $10-15 lately. Staying in Milwaukee for 2008, Overbay received card #851 in that year’s Topps set. Raw copies can be had for under $1, with a PSA 10 going for $10-15 still.
Overbay’s best offensive season arguably came in 2009 as part of the Brewers playoff team. He batted .291 with 25 home runs and 104 RBI. This led to some of his most prominent modern Brewers cards. His 2009 Topps flagship card #934 captures his breakout season in Milwaukee. Raw copies are still only $1-2 even in worn condition. A PSA 10 gem recently sold for $25-30. Another nice parallel from 2009 is his Topps Chrome Blue Refractor #182B. Near-mint PSA 8 copies have gone for $15-20. Finally, Overbay’s 2009 Allen & Ginter World’s Greatest card #122 pays tribute to one of his best individual years in style. PSA 10 editions regularly exceed $30.
After spending 2010-11 still with the Brewers, Overbay was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 2012. This led to new team logo cards such as his 2012 Topps base #449 depiction as a Buccaneer. Worn raw copies can be found for under $1, with a PSA 10 holding steady around $15 value. Also new that year was his 2012 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor parallel #263B showing off the shiny blue design. Near-mint PSA 8 copies have sold for $10-15 recently. Overbay’s MLB career wrapped up after 2013, but these modern Pirates cards remain notable for collectors of his playing tenure.
While Lyle Overbay was never a true superstar, his consistency and longevity in the major leagues from 2001-2013 resulted in a sizable collection of baseball cards over the years. For fans and collectors of the various teams he suited up for, there are ample cardboard opportunities to represent Overbay’s contributions on rosters like the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Braves, and Brewers. Some of his parallels like refractors and inserts hold scarcer appeal as well. Overall, Overbay’s respectable career is well documented and preserved through the hobby of baseball cards for fans to enjoy.
