1991 SCORE ALL STAR BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1991 Score All-Star baseball card set was a highly anticipated release that brought together many of the game’s biggest stars from both the American and National Leagues onto a single card for the first time. Score had earned a reputation for high quality photography and creative card designs that captured the essence of both the players and the era. With sports memorabilia and collectibles booming in popularity in the early 1990s, the 1991 Score All-Star set was poised to be one of the most coveted issues of the new decade.

1990 had seen Barry Bonds win the NL MVP award while hitting .301 with 33 home runs and 104 RBIs for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Entering his contract year in 1991, Bonds was already establishing himself as one of the game’s elite players. His debut Score All-Star card would feature a close-up headshot, accentuating his intense stare. His superb physical attributes and freakish power were apparent even in a static baseball card photo. Bonds’ card would be a standout in the 1991 set and help further fuel the anticipation surrounding his free agency.

Meanwhile, the American League was led by two towering sluggers – José Canseco of the Oakland A’s and Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals. Both Canseco and McGwire eclipsed the 40 home run plateau in 1990 while playing for respective division winning teams. Their raw power was captivating fans across MLB. For their 1991 Score All-Star cards, Canseco posed staring out to the distance in an intense action shot. McGwire leaned into his follow through, biceps bulging as the ball rocketed from his bat. Both cards epitomized the longball prowess that defined the new “Muscle Era” of baseball.

Among the pitchers featured, Atlanta Braves ace Tom Glavine was coming off a 20 win season and his first NL Cy Young award in 1991. His Score All-Star card saw Glavine standing on the mound, his loose wrist action and classic three-quarters delivery on full display. For Nolan Ryan, entering his age 44 season with the Texas Rangers, his blazing fastball was still overpowering hitters into his late 30s. Score honored “The Ryan Express” with a close cropped action shot, emphasizing the frightening velocity and ferocity behind each of his pitches.

The card backs of the 1991 Score All-Star issue provided a wealth of statistics and career highlights for each player. Stats included career totals, 1990 season stats, and season by season breakdowns dating back to 1975. Trivia questions and fun facts accompanied each biography. For those not familiar with certain players, the card backs offered a comprehensive primer on some of the game’s greatest talents over the previous 15 seasons leading up to 1991.

In addition to star sluggers and hurlers, the 1991 Score All-Star set also featured lesser known but impactful players like Baltimore Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles, who hit .287 with 21 home runs and 92 RBIs in ’90 while establishing himself as one of the league’s top backstops. Score also honored role players and complimentary talents through cards of players like Oakland A’s second baseman Willie Randolph, who batted .272 in ’90 and provided solid defense and leadership for a championship caliber team.

The 1991 Score All-Star issue was a perfect storm of timely production colliding with the shining talents, gripping storylines, and nostalgia of the late 80s/early 90s era in MLB. Between key stars entering free agency like Bonds, veterans still excelling late in their careers like Ryan, and young talents ascending like Canseco, McGwire and Glavine, the cards captured the narrative arc of many ballplayers’ places in history. As baseball cards and collectibles from the early 90s continue to gain appreciation as artifacts of the sport’s renaissance period, issues like the 1991 Score All-Star set remain some of the most prized editions for enthusiasts and investors alike.

TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS 2022 COMPLETE SET GUIDE

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The 2022 Topps Baseball Card Complete Set offers collectors a chance to acquire all the standard issue cards from Topps’ flagship baseball release of the year. As the longest running and most iconic brand in the hobby, Topps delivers a time-honored tradition with each new season. Their 2022 offering contains various insert sets and parallels along with base cards showcasing every Major League player. Let’s take a closer look at what collectors can find inside this year’s complete set.

The base card design features a clean and classic look with players photographed against a solid color background. Stats and team logos are incorporated subtly along the bottom. Roster size for the set comes in at 792 cards as no active players were excluded. A few notable rookies that made their Topps debut include Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Riley Greene. Veterans like Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera receive cards as well in their continued quest up the all-time leaderboards.

As with past complete sets, parallels offer variations on the base design that are inserted throughout packs and boxes at different rarities. The Printing Plates parallel comes one per case featuring a photo without any stats or borders. These ultra-rare 1/1 versions are true collector’s items. Other parallel types for 2022 include Gold (#/2022), Silver Pack Fresh (#/99), Rainbow Foil (#/25), and X-Fractor (#/5). Each provides progresssively lower print runs to increase scarcity and attract higher prices in the secondary market.

Topps continues to pay tribute to franchise greats and milestone moments with commemorative insert sets. The All-Time Fan Favorites collection honors Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., and more legends of the sport through vintage-inspired artwork. Hall of Fame ballots get acknowledged with the HOF Ballot inset showcasing players awaiting a call to Cooperstown like Todd Helton and Scott Rolen. Another retirement is recognized through David Ortiz’s Thanks For The Memories insert set.

Rookies and prospects are highlighted through inserts like Top Prospects, which touts prospects like Gunnar Henderson and Druw Jones. The Inception set spotlights current MLB rookies and 2nd year players like Shane Bieber, Lucas Giolito, and Juan Soto in their early career phases. Fan-favorite inserts like Heritage Minors offer a bridge to the minors as well by depicting top farm system talent. Even international players seeking their shot at the majors get shine through Topps International insert sets celebrating breakthrough stars from around the globe.

Autograph and memorabilia cards bring the emotion and connection of obtaining signed pieces from your favorite stars. The Sterling insert set contains swatches of game-used jerseys or bats for players across the league embedded alongside autographed versions of their base cards. Rare 1/1 patch cards featuring precious pieces of authentic flannel or lumber only increase the excitement of trying to pull one of these highly coveted chase cards.

Completing a full flagship release like 2022 Topps takes dedication and perseverance. Building the set through trades, breaks, and retail hunting helps collectors gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the modern cardboard culture. While parallels offer numerous collecting paths, acquiring the entire base roster provides a true sense of completion. For those wishing to experience the entirety of Topps’ annual efforts, obtaining a completed 2022 Topps Complete Set delivers the ultimate satisfaction and legacy of following a whole season from cardboard to cardboard.

As baseball’s longest running brand, Topps sets the gold standard each year for what a modern baseball card release should deliver. Their 2022 offering meets expectations as the preeminent product to highlight the past season while preserving it for future generations. Through their combination of classic design, special parallels and inserts, and star rookies and veterans, the complete 2022 Topps Baseball Card Set presents collectors an time-honored tradition to enjoy for seasons to come.

TREY TURNER BASEBALL CARDS

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Trey Turner is a star shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers who has quickly become one of the most sought-after young players in Major League Baseball. Given his early career success and superstar potential, Turner’s rookie cards and early issue cards have grown greatly in demand from collectors in recent years. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the key Trey Turner baseball cards that have captured the attention of the hobby.

One of Turner’s most prominent rookie cards is his 2017 Topps Series 1 card. As Turner’s true rookie card from his debut 2017 season with the Dodgers, the 2017 Topps Series 1 card holds significant appeal and history for collectors. The design features an action photo of Turner from his first MLB at-bat alongside basic career and bio stats from his initial season. While printed in high numbers initially as a common rookie card, values of the 2017 Topps Series 1 Trey Turner have steadily increased as his success and fame have grown. The card can now regularly fetch $10-20 in near mint condition for the basic base version, with higher prices found for parallels, autographs, and rare serial number variations.

Another important early Turner card is from 2017 Topps Heritage. As a retro-styled reimagining of 1968 Topps design, the 2017 Topps Heritage cards have long been popular with collectors seeking vintage-inspired designs. Turner’s card in the set carries the additional pedigree of being considered by some as his “flagship” rookie. The simple black-and-white action image and smaller stat box lend an old-school baseball card aesthetic. Values of the 2017 Topps Heritage Trey Turner rookie have also climbed alongside his MLB success, with most near mint common copies now between $15-30.

For collectors seeking Turner autograph or memorabilia cards, there are some notable early issues to consider. His 2017 Topps Chrome autograph refractor rookie, for instance, has significant appeal for displaying both his signature and premiering in the highly popular Topps Chrome set. Low serial versions can reach upwards of $100-200. Another standout is the 2016 Bowman Draft Trey Turner autograph card from when he was drafted. Featuring on-card autographs of prospects before their MLB debut, these Draft cards are highly coveted. Turner’s swatches rarer numbers command $75-150.

Among Turner’s more valuable early cards are some vinyl parallel issues. The 2017 Topps Pro Debut Trey Turner black vinyl parallel #/25, for example, is an ultra-short printed variation that is extremely difficult to find available. When they surface for sale or trade, estimates put the value near $500-1000 based on his rising star status and the rarity of the single-digit parallel. Likewise, other low-number parallel versions like gold foils and cyan foil refractors can boost Turner cards into the $200-500 range based on specific parallel and condition.

As Turner has developed into an elite player since breaking into the big leagues, interest in commemorating his early career milestones on baseball cards has increased as well. Cards like his 2018 Topps Update Silver Pack Parallels recognize his first All-Star selection that year. Numbered to 2018 copies, values have grown from under $10 upon release to $30-60 today. Turner’s ascendency to elite Dodger status makes cards honoring achievements hold appeal too, such as 2020 Topps Transcendent Celebrating NL West Champs #/25 celebrating a division title. These types of noteworthy parallel and inserts can reach several hundred dollars for elite serial versions.

While still early in his playing days, Trey Turner has already shown all the signs of potential superstardom that drive collectors wild. As a dynamic offensive and defensive shortstop for one of MLB’s marquee franchises, Turner’s profile and baseball card values are poised only to grow further. For investors and enthusiasts alike, his career-defining rookie cards as well as serial numbered and autograph parallel versions offer compelling long-term collecting opportunities. As he continues his rise among the elite of the sport, Turner’s baseball cards from his earliest years in the majors stand to achieve even greater stature and demand within the hobby.

1972 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS HIGH NUMBERS

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The 1972 Topps baseball card set is notably referred to as having high numbers and low numbers. Traditionally, Topps releases all of their cards in a standard numeric order from 1 to around 600 cards for their base series. In 1972 Topps broke tradition and issued cards in two distinct series. The first series contained cards numbered 1-398, including all of the team packs. The second series contained cards numbered 399-525, which were randomly inserted in wax packs. These later numbered cards came to be known as the “high numbers.”

There are a few theories as to why Topps split the 1972 set into two series. The most widely accepted theory is that the 1981 Major League Baseball strike delayed the start of the season. This pushed back the Topps photography and production schedule. In order to still release cards to coincide with the beginning of the season, Topps decided to issue the low numbered cards first containing portrait photos primarily taken the previous fall. Then they would follow up later in the season with additional action shots and player updates in the high numbered series.

Some key things to know about the 1972 Topps high numbers include that photographic quality varies more significantly than the low series. Many of the high number photos have a mix of outdoor action shots compared to the standard indoor portrait style of the low numbers. Uniforms and team affiliations in the high numbers also occasionally differ from the low series if a player was traded between the two series releases. The high numbers also document late season call-ups and rookie debuts that could not be included in the timely low numbered release.

Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers in the 1972 Topps high numbers include Jon Matlack (#406), Bill Madlock (#413), Jon Matlack (#406) Rollie Fingers (#420), and Don Sutton (#424). Other notable rookie cards include future All-Stars Ted Simmons (#473), Butch Metzger (#484), and Dennis Eckersley (#510). The high numbers also include the final baseball cards for legends like Mickey Mantle (#399), Whitey Ford (#400), and Hoyt Wilhelm (#521).

Two of the most valuable high number cards are Nolan Ryan’s #498 action shot which marks his first season with the California Angels and Rod Carew’s #518 card showing him early in his tenure with the Twins, before fully establishing himself as one of baseball’s all-time great hitters. Carew’s #518 typically ranks as the most valuable card in the entire 1972 Topps set due to his rookie season fully documented in the high numbers.

Another interesting aspect of the 1972 Topps high numbers is that they include the first cards featuring players from the National League East Division. When the Major Leagues split each league into an East and West Division in 1969, Topps did not indicate the divisions on cards until the high numbers of 1972. This makes high number cards of players like Mets pitcher Jon Matlack and Phillies third baseman Don Money notationable as some of the first to designate NL East.

The 1972 Topps high numbers provide a fascinating documentation of the transition to divisional play, rookie debuts of future stars, final cards for legendary players, and an overall mix of indoor and outdoor photography not seen in the initial low number release. While production variations and photographic inconsistencies may exist more than the low series, the historical significance and rookie content give high numbers a prominent place in the set, and in the annuals of vintage baseball cards from the 1970s. Even at lower print runs than the low series, strong rookie and star player content continue to make 1972 Topps high numbers a popular and collectible segment amongst vintage sports card enthusiasts.

1990 DONRUSS BASEBALL CARDS WAX PACKS

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The 1990 Donruss baseball card set featured 660 total cards issued in wax packs. The 1990 Donruss set is remembered as one of the most iconic and popular designs in the brand’s long history. This success came after two years of struggling sales in 1988 and 1989 following the baseball card bubble burst of the late 1980s. However, Donruss was able to successfully reinvent themselves and bounce back with the 1990 design that resonated hugely with collectors.

Some key things collectors remember about the 1990 Donruss baseball cards wax packs include the innovative double window design showing two cards face up in each wax pack. This allowed kids to see some of the chase cards they may find inside prior to opening. Each wax pack contained 5 common cards and 1 sticker or short print card on average. The design on the front of the wax packs featured a closeup action photo from the previous MLB season.

Inside each 1990 Donruss wax pack, the five common cards would be in the standard Donruss style with a team logo in the background and all player information and stats laid out uniformly across the bottom. The 6th card slot in the pack had the potential to feature anything from a sticker, to a parallel photo variation card, all the way to highly sought after short prints and rookie stars of the future like Ivan Rodriguez, Chuck Knoblauch, and Jeff Bagwell.

This random nature of what could be found in the coveted 6th slot created immense excitement for kids looking to complete their sets. Among the inserts collectors tried pulling were 3D cards, Clear Cut parallels, and Topps-like Traded variants moving new players to their new teams. But the real chase was tracking down scarce rookies and shorts prints numbered to just 100 copies or less. Some of the rarest included Frank Thomas’ first Donruss card, Front Row seat parallel cards, and Kenny Lofton’s rookie.

Another unique aspect of the 1990 Donruss design was the creative extended player biographies on the back of each card. Short blurbs gave way to nearly complete paragraphs detailing player stats, accomplishments, and fun facts. This helped casual fans learn more about their favorite players and added valuable context and history versus the minimal one-liners of many contemporaries. The innovative back design helped fuel the set’s popularity even more.

In addition to the base 660 card set, Donruss also issued additional parallel and insert sets to further excite collectors. This included two prized parallel sets in 1990 Donruss Clear Cut and 1991 Donruss Clear Cut that featured photo variations of the base cards on clear stock. Other sought after subsets included Diamond Kings premier parallels on gold stock as well as innovative 3D cards that could be viewed with red/blue glasses like a lenticular image.

The 1990 Donruss design became one of the most influential and replicated baseball card designs of all-time. Its innovative packaging, extensive player bios, and surprises in every pack made it hugely popular upon release and fueled a lifelong love for the hobby among both kids and adults. Prices remained reasonable too, with the most valuable common cards settling in the $5-$20 range. This allowed most collectors to complete their entire sets within a reasonable budget versus modern multi-hundred dollar chase cards.

Over 30 years later, the 1990 Donruss set is still viewed incredibly fondly by collectors of all ages. Its nostalgic packaging and design evoke powerful memories and remind collectors why they fell in love with collecting cards as kids. Many of the set’s most desirable short prints and rookie stars have increased exponentially in value as well. Complete 1990 Donruss team sets in top condition have been known to sell for well over $1,000 demonstrating the timeless appeal and popularity of this historic design. While the baseball card industry has changed dramatically, the legacy and impact of 1990 Donruss wax packs stands the test of time for collectors everywhere.

EBAY 1991 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1991 Topps baseball card set was issued during a golden age of baseball card popularity in the early 1990s. Following the success of the 1989 Upper Deck set which introduced premium baseball cards, Topps upped their design and production quality to compete. The 1991 Topps set contained 792 total cards and featured many of the game’s biggest stars from that era.

Some notable rookies included in the 1991 Topps set were Chipper Jones, Frank Thomas, Charles Nagy, and Jimmy Key. All four would go on to have successful MLB careers and their rookie cards from this set are still highly sought after by collectors today. Thomas in particular had an immediate impact, winning the American League MVP award in his first season in 1990 while playing for the Chicago White Sox. His rookie card is one of the most valuable from the entire 1991 Topps collection.

The design of the 1991 Topps cards featured a photo of the player in the foreground with their team logo and name appearing behind them in a banner. Statistics from the previous season were listed on the bottom along with the standard Topps design elements. For the first time, Topps included factory-sealed wax packs with 5 cards inside rather than loose packs. This helped protect the fragile cardboard and was a sign that baseball cards were becoming a more serious collecting hobby.

During the early 1990s, the popularity of baseball cards was at an all-time high. Kids across America were opening packs, trading duplicates with friends at school, and starting their own collections in shoeboxes under their beds. The 1991 Topps set was hugely popular and cards could be found in nearly every corner store, drug store, and grocery store across the country. With so many kids and young collectors opening packs, it’s estimated that over 1 billion 1991 Topps cards were produced, making it one of the highest print run sets ever.

As the years went by, many of those kids stopped collecting or their collections were lost or damaged. But a dedicated community of collectors remained and interest in vintage cards from the late 80s and early 90s boom period only increased over time. In the early 2000s, the rise of online auction sites like eBay gave collectors an easy way to buy, sell, and trade cards they had amassed over the previous decade or more. This helped drive up demand and prices for the most coveted rookie cards and stars from sets like 1991 Topps.

Today on eBay, a raw 1991 Topps Chipper Jones rookie card in good condition can sell for $50-100 while a mint condition PSA 10 gem mint example has sold for over $2,000. Frank Thomas rookie cards in top grade also command $1,000+. Even common cards of established Hall of Famers from the set like Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, or Ozzie Smith are desirable and can sell for $5-10 each. With the popularity of the players and the massive production numbers, 1991 Topps cards are still relatively easy to find at affordable prices compared to some other vintage sets.

For collectors looking to build full sets from the early 90s boom, 1991 Topps is a great option. With nearly 800 total cards, it can take some time and trading to track them all down in decent condition. But the relatively low prices make it a realistic goal for most collectors. And the photos and design have held up very well. Even for casual fans not collecting sets, flipping through a binder of 1991 Topps brings back memories of being a kid opening packs. The cards remain a connection to baseball’s glory days for millions who grew up with the hobby in the early 1990s.

The 1991 Topps baseball card set holds a special place in the history of the hobby. Featuring many future Hall of Famers and stars along with highly sought after rookie cards, it was produced during the peak popularity for baseball cards. While over a billion were made, the set has retained its nostalgic appeal and cards remain both affordable and desirable for collectors on eBay and in the vintage trading card market. For capturing a moment in the golden age of baseball cards, 1991 Topps will always be remembered as one of the greats.

GRADING BASEBALL CARDS

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Grading the condition and quality of baseball cards is an important process for collectors, investors, and anyone seeking to properly value their collection. Third-party grading companies like PSA, BGS, SGC and others examine cards to assign universal condition grades, bringing transparency and standardization to the hobby.

The grading scale most companies use runs from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest attainable grade of “gem mint” condition. Lower numbers indicate worse wear and tear. Even minor flaws can significantly impact a card’s grade. So when collectors submit cards to be professionally graded, the potential increase in value from a high grade makes it well worth the cost.

To earn top grades, cards must be in pristine condition with no creases, corners or edges that are perfectly sharp. The surface must be clean with no scratches. Strong colors and centering within the borders are also critical. Slight flaws can result in a downgrade, so top grades of 9 or 10 are very difficult to achieve and command the highest prices.

Grading begins with a visual inspection under bright lighting by experienced graders. They examine the card front and back with a jeweler’s loupe to identify even the tiniest issues. Pictures are taken of any flaws found. Afterward, the card is handled with gloves and sleeved to maintain its condition during the attribution and encapsulation steps.

Modern sports cards are given meticulous attribute analysis to confirm production details. Things like the sport, player, set, year, manufacturer and serial number are carefully documented. For vintage cards produced over 50 years ago when quality control was not as advanced, graders must research production methods to properly identify attributes that are not clearly printed on the card.

Once fully inspected and attributed, qualified cards are then encased in a tamper-proof plastic holder featuring the company brand and assigned grade on a permanent label. This encapsulation protects the card while also allowing potential buyers to easily inspect its surface without having to open the holder. Encapsulated cards with certified grades bring standardization and trust to the marketplace.

With increased demand from collectors and investors, the top two companies PSA and BGS now each grade over a million cards annually. Their dominance has led to long waits and backlogs, so smaller alternative graders like SGC and HGA emerged to provide faster turnarounds. Different companies also have variances in their standards that may impact assigned grades.

A PSA 10 is considered the pinnacle achievement, but is not necessarily a perfect flawless card. PSA is the largest and most influential service but also grades toughest. BGS tends to award higher grades and is known for sharp, colorful slabs. SGC focuses on affordability and turnaround speed over ultra-strict criteria. For investments, PSA remains the standard, but all reputable graders add value.

While raw ungraded cards can be found more affordably, a professional grade dramatically reduces risks in the resale market by providing a standardized condition assessment recognized industry-wide. High grades verify quality and boost asking prices. But grading is not a guarantee – cards can sometimes receive unexpectedly low marks or even damage in the process. Submitters need to understand turnaround delays and risks before sending cards away.

In the long run, third party grading has been tremendously positive for the collectibles industry by instilling trust, standardizing values and bringing transparency where there was once uncertainty. With care and research, the grading process remains the best way for collectors to maximize returns on their valuable vintage and modern sports cards. As interest and prices keep soaring to new heights, professional condition assessment will remain essential for enabling a fair, growing marketplace.

KC ROYALS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Kansas City Royals joined Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise in 1969. Like all new MLB teams, the Royals were featured in various baseball card releases during their inaugural season and beyond. Let’s take an in-depth look at the history and key details surrounding Royals baseball cards from the team’s beginning through modern issues.

One of the first sets to include Royals players was the 1969 Topps baseball card release. As an expansion team, the Royals had very limited representation with only a handful of cards issued for their players. Catcher John Ellis was the sole Royals player to receive an individual card that year. Other Royals on the 1969 Topps roster included second baseman Cookie Rojas and pitchers Roger Nelson and Paul Splittorff on shared cards with players from other teams.

In 1970, Topps upped the Royals presence with over a dozen individual cards for Kansas City players like outfielders Lou Piniella and Amos Otis. That season also saw the Royals’ first rookie cards issued for players like infielder Leon Roberts. The 1971 and 1972 Topps sets continued expanding the Royals’ representation with cards of stars like catcher Hal McRae and pitcher Andy Hassler emerging. By the mid-1970s, the Royals had gained enough prominence to receive full individual card coverage from Topps and other contemporary brands like Fleer.

One of the most iconic early Royals card designs came from the 1975 Topps set, which featured colorful player portraits with a stadium seat pattern behind each image. Stars on those ‘75 Royals cards included McRae, Otis, White, Splittorff, and rookie pitcher Dennis Leonard. The late 1970s saw the introduction of more artistic and experimental designs from Topps and competitors. Sets from that era put the Royals’ championship-contending cores of McRae, Otis, White, and Leonard at the forefront.

The 1980s brought several notable events and anniversary moments for Royals cards. The franchise’s first World Series title in 1985 was commemorated across various ‘86 card issues. Other milestones included career highlights cards in the 1987 Topps set for George Brett and Bret Saberhagen as they neared milestones. Meanwhile, rookie cards in the ‘80s for hot prospects like Bo Jackson captured the excitement of a new generation of Royals players emerging.

In the 90s, collectors sought out rookie and star cards from sets as the Royals competed again for division titles. Sets from ‘92 and ‘93 featured rising talents like Kevin Seitzer, David Cone, and Bob Hamelin. Later ‘90s issues highlighted the careers of franchise icons like Brett as he neared retirement. In 1999, Topps paid homage to the 1985 championship team with a special 14-card insert set distributed across their main baseball release.

In the 2000s and 2010s, nostalgia has remained strong for classic Royals cards from the teams’ 1970s/80s heyday. Many older Kansas City issues routinely sell out online as collectors seek pieces from the franchise’s formative years. Modern sets have also given tribute by reprinting some of those same iconic ‘70s/‘80s designs for today’s fans and players. Meanwhile, stars today like Salvador Perez routinely appear on subsets highlighting MLB’s top catchers in the latest releases.

Looking ahead, Royals cards will surely continue commemorating new moments and milestones for the franchise in upcoming issues. Whether highlighting young talents emerging now or reminiscing on past greats, baseball cards have long documented the history of Kansas City’s MLB team across multiple generations of players and collectors alike. With the Royals back among the American League’s top competitors today, their presence in new card sets should remain significant for many years to come.

BOWMAN 2023 BASEBALL CARDS BOX

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The Bowman 2023 baseball card release is one of the most anticipated card releases of the year for baseball card collectors and die-hard baseball fans alike. Bowman is the first major baseball card release each year containing rookie cards and prospect cards for some of the top minor league and international prospects who will hope to make their MLB debuts in the coming seasons.

Released annually by Topps, the Bowman brand has been releasing high-end, prospect-focused baseball cards since 1949. Over the decades, Bowman cards have become among the most coveted in the hobby as they offer a first glimpse at the next generation of future MLB stars in their earliest pro card appearances. Notable Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera had their rookie cards in Bowman sets.

For the 2023 release, collectors can expect to find cards featuring some of the top prospects in baseball inside classic wax packs, as well as high-end boxes, blasters, and exclusive hobby boxes with autographed and memorabilia cards inserted. Below is an overview of some of the Bowman 2023 product options collectors can pursue:

Hobby Boxes – These high-end boxes are the primary way collectors can pursue chasing the top rookie cards and autographs from Bowman 2023. A standard hobby box contains 12 packs with 11 cards per pack for a total of 132 cards. Hobby boxes guarantee at least one autograph or memorabilia card per box.
Blaster Boxes – Slightly more affordable than hobby boxes at $20-25 each, blaster boxes contain 6 or 8 packs with varying numbers of cards in each pack, usually totaling between 60-100 cards per box. Chances of hits are significantly lower than hobby boxes.
Value Packs – Simple wax packs containing 9-11 basic prospect cards that can be found in retail stores, value packs offer a low-cost way to try Bowman for $1-3 each.
Jumbo Boxes – As the name suggests, these mega boxes are even larger and carry a higher price tag of $150-300 each. Jumbos contain 24 packs or more and 2-4 guaranteed hits including top prospects’ autographs or memorabilia cards.

In terms of the specific cards collectors can hope to pull in 2023 Bowman, here are some of the highlights:

Rookie Cards – The biggest chase is striking gold on a prospect’s rookie card before they debut in the majors. Players like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr, and Adley Rutschman had massive rookie years after debuting with their RC in prior Bowman sets.
Autograph Cards – With one guaranteed per hobby box, these autographed versions of top prospects command big bucks if the player pans out. Limited parallels make hits even rarer and more valuable.
Memorabilia Cards – Bowman is known for “Hit” cards containing uniform swatches, bat knobs, or other memorabilia paired with a rookie card. Serialized parallels add to the prestige.
International Prospect Cards – The brand highlights amateurs from globally with special world flag logos and extra info on international prospects’ stats & backgrounds.
Short Prints and Parallels – Limited insert sets spotlight prospects, while parallels like gold, silver, black, and refractors of base cards multiply the card design options.

The Bowman 2023 release is always a pivotal first look at baseball’s future through its vast rookie and prospect cards. While taking a gamble that any individual player will succeed, the sheer volume and quality of the prospect content makes Bowman packs, boxes, and breaks highly engaging for collectors until the next wave of rookies arrives in stores. The brand’s long tradition of identifying future legends keeps excitement high for chasing baseball’s up-and-coming stars at the ground floor of their pro careers each spring with the Bowman release.

1990 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS TOP 10

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The 1990 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While not quite as valuable as sets from the 1950s rookie card boom, there are still some highly valuable gems to be found in the 1990 Topps collection. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most valuable 1990 Topps baseball cards based on PSA 10 gem mint condition prices.

Coming in at #10 is card #166, Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins. Puckett was already an established star by 1990 after winning the 1986 AL Batting Title and playing a key role in the Twins World Series wins in 1987 and 1991. His smooth left-handed swing made him a fan favorite as well. In PSA 10 condition, his 1990 Topps card recently sold for $450. Not too shabby for a card near the middle of the set.

The #9 spot goes to card #162, rookie card of Eddie Murray of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Murray made his debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 1977 and put together a Hall of Fame career hitting over 500 home runs. His change of scenery to the Dodgers in 1990 made his rookie card fairly scarce in high grade. Cracking the $500 mark currently, a PSA 10 recently brought $525.

Taking the #8 spot is card #329, Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers. Arguably the greatest strikeout pitcher ever, Ryan was still defying father time with the Rangers in his late 30s. Any Nolan Ryan card holds value due to his record-setting career, and a PSA 10 of his ’90 Topps sold for $600.

At #7 is card #443, Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles. Fresh off breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record in 1995, Ripken mania was in full force in the 90s. His smooth left-handed swing and surehanded play at shortstop encapsulated all the best parts of being a ballplayer. Ripken’s 1990 Topps pulled in $675 for a PSA 10.

Cracking the top 5 is card #713, Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals. Known as the “Wizard” for his acrobatic defense at shortstop, Ozzie was a fan-favorite and 13-time Gold Glover. While he never was a big home run hitter, his highlight reel plays gave him mainstream popularity. With his smooth right-handed swing and dazzling defense, a PSA 10 recently sold for $700.

Claiming the #4 spot is card #164, rookie card of Gregg Jefferies of the St. Louis Cardinals. While Jefferies never lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him coming out of high school, his rookie card remains a key piece of the set. With its iconic photo and starry-eyed hopes for Gregg the Great, his PSA 10 changed hands for $725.

At #3 is card #83, Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers, again. But this time it’s the error version where his first name is misspelled “Norlan”. The scarcity and story behind the error make it exponentially more valuable than the regular issue. A PSA 10 Norlan Ryan sold in January 2022 for an astounding $900, showing the high stakes of error cards.

Taking the #2 spot is card #1, Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners. The kid with the smooth left-handed swing and effortless defense was already showing superstar promise in his first full season. With Griffey mania in full effect before he even hit his prime, his coveted #1 card popped for $1,000 in a PSA 10.

And finally, at the #1 spot is card #646, Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox. “The Big Hurt” was coming off his 1990 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP campaign. His iconic muscular physique and smooth, powerful right-handed swing made him the clean-cut poster boy for the era. Frank Thomas’ PSA 10 recently blew the doors off at $1,250, showing why it remains the crown jewel of the set.

While it may lack the true vintage appeal of 1950s rookie cards, the 1990 Topps baseball set holds a special nostalgia for children of the late 80s and early 90s. Stars like Ripken, Griffey, Ryan, and Thomas anchor the set with key cards that can still generate excitement in the hobby today. For dedicated collectors, hunting a high-grade copy of these elite ’90 Topps gems remains the ultimate prize from one of the set’s most iconic pop culture moments.