BASEBALL CARDS TO BUY RIGHT NOW

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Baseball cards have seen a huge surge in popularity and value over the past couple of years. With the rise of online selling platforms like eBay and increased nostalgia for the hobby, now is a great time to consider investing in certain baseball cards. In this article, we will look at some of the best baseball cards to buy right now based on their current demand and potential for future appreciation.

Rookie cards of current star players: One of the safest bets for baseball cards with upside is rookie cards of superstar players who are still active in the league. For example, cards of Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout from his 2009 rookie season with the Angels have skyrocketed in value in recent years. With Trout cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time, his rookie cards have increased over 1000% in the last decade. Other top active players whose rookie cards are hot commodities include Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. These players are all under 30 and likely have many more productive seasons ahead of them, so their rookie cards remain a solid long term investment.

Vintage rookie cards of Hall of Famers: Looking a bit further back in history, the rookie cards of players enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame will likely always hold value due to their significance. One of the most coveted rookie cards is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, considered the rarest and most valuable trading card in existence. Most collectors cannot afford such a high-priced item. More reasonably priced vintage rookie cards to target include Mickey Mantle (1951 Topps, 1953 Bowman), Willie Mays (1951 Bowman), Hank Aaron (1954 Topps), and Nolan Ryan (1966 Topps). These players were all-time greats who are permanently etched in baseball lore. As long as the sport is around, collectors will want their earliest trading cards.

Autograph cards of legends: For collectors wanting cards signed by their favorite players, autograph cards of retired stars who have since passed away are highly sought after. Some affordable options to consider include signed cards of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Greg Maddux, Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench and Cal Ripken Jr. As these players continue gaining legendary status in the years following their careers, their autographs can be expected to rise in value at a steady clip. The rarer the autograph parallel, the more desirable and valuable it will be long term.

Rookie autograph cards of current stars: Combining the demand for rookie cards and autographs, rookie autograph cards of active superstars represent a smart area to put money. The best options tend to be low-numbered parallels from high-end products like Topps Chrome Autograph Refractors or Bowman Sterling Autographs. Examples of rookie autograph cards that could pay off well in the long run include cards signed by Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Wander Franco and Shane Baz. As these players cement their careers, their earliest signed cards will gain recognition as important pieces of baseball history.

Top prospects and draft picks: For a riskier but potentially higher reward play, cards of top prospects and high draft picks who have yet to make the majors can be worth considering. Players like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., CJ Abrams and Jackson Jobe have all the tools to become future stars and their cards can still be acquired for relatively low prices. It’s important to do thorough research on a player’s abilities and long term outlook before investing in prospects. But hitting on a breakout star could yield a huge return down the road.

Key vintage stars: Last but not least, vintage cards of all-time greats will always be sought after collectibles. While their rookie cards may be cost prohibitive, cards from the early stages of some legends’ careers can still be found at reasonable prices. Examples include a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, 1957 Topps Willie Mays, 1967 Topps Tom Seaver, or 1972 Topps Johnny Bench. These represent obtainable pieces of iconic players’ careers that are likely to hold or increase in value long term as interest in vintage memorabilia remains strong.

By focusing on rookie cards of current stars, vintage rookies of Hall of Famers, autographs of legends and impact prospects, savvy collectors can find solid baseball card investments to buy right now. Diversifying among these categories allows coverage of both established stars and high-upside youth. With patience and a long term outlook, these types of cards offer good chances to build collection value for years to come.

SAINT LOUIS CARDINALS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Saint Louis Cardinals are one of the most historic franchises in Major League Baseball. Known also as the “Cardinals”, the team has won 11 World Series titles and been featured on hundreds of baseball cards over the decades. Cards featuring Cardinals players date back to the earliest years of the hobby in the late 1800s.

Some of the earliest existing Cardinal cards come from cigarette manufacturers, who began inserting baseball cards as promotions starting in 1888. Companies like Allen & Ginter and Happy Hooligan issued cards of many top players of the time, including a few who spent time with the franchise known then as the Browns in the National League. In 1891, the St. Louis Browns placed second in their league and began appearing on more baseball cards.

In the 1900s and 1910s, candy and gum companies took over production of baseball cards. Brands like Walter Trumbull Company, American Caramel, and Tip-Top Candies issued small, triangular shaped cards known as “text cards.” Stars Rogers Hornsby and Charles “Burleigh Grimes were among the first Cardinals players to appear prominently on these early cardboard promotions.

In 1909, the Browns became the Cardinals, adopting their enduring nickname. Now branded as the Cardinals, the franchise reached the World Series for the first time in 1926 and again in 1928, bringing more national recognition. Stars like Grover Cleveland Alexander, Jesse Haines, and Jim Bottomley started showing up regularly in gum card sets by brands like Goudey and Chevrolet.

The golden age of baseball cards launched in 1933 with the hugely popular Goudey gum cards featuring photographs for the first time. Stars Dizzy Dean, Pepper Martin, Joe Medwick, and Burleigh Grimes earned iconic cardboard representations. The 1934 Goudey set is considered one of the most valuable in the hobby due to stars like Dizzy Dean in their Cardinals uniforms.

After World War 2, production of cards ramped up tremendously. The 1947 to 1948 Leaf and Bowman sets were the first to feature color photos, starring Red Schoendienst, Enos Slaughter, and Walker Cooper. Topps took over the baseball card market in the 1950s with their famous design and photo quality immortalizing Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, and Ken Boyer. Musial’s 1952 Topps card is one of the rarest and most coveted of any Cardinals star.

The 1960s marked the peak of Topps’ dominance and success of the Cardinals franchise. Led by superstars like Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Curt Flood, St. Louis won the World Series in 1964 and 1967. Iconic cards ranging from the 1961 to 1969 Topps issues established the franchise’s great players as cardboard legends. Brock’s 1968 and 1969 are especially coveted for his base-stealing prowess.

After 1967, the Cardinals endured a playoff drought for nearly two decades. This period saw the rise of many competing brands including Fleer, Kellogg’s, and Donruss. stars like Ted Simmons, Keith Hernandez, and Ozzie Smith captured the imagination of collectors in the 1970s and early 80s issues. Smith’s breakthrough in 1982 helped spark a renaissance for the club.

With Whitey Herzog at the helm, “Whiteyball” small-ball tactics led St. Louis back to the top, winning the 1982 World Series. Stars like Willie McGee and Terry Pendleton gained fame on Fleer, Donruss and Score issues through the mid 80s championships. The Rally Bird phenomenon of the 1985 World Series further entrenched the franchise as fan favorites on cardboard.

The late 1980s and 1990s saw the Dominance of Upper Deck, Topps, and Score capture stars like Ozzie Smith, Todd Zeile, and Bob Tewksbury into the ultra-modern card era. After a slump, the franchise rebuilt around younger talents like Albert Pujols. His iconic rookie card in 2001 Topps helped to usher in a new period of success.

Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Adam Wainwright led St. Louis to three more World Series titles between 2006-2011. Higher end products like Topps Chrome, Bowman, and Archives captured the new stars alongside franchise legends. Pujols is now undoubtedly one of the most significant Cardinals players ever depicted on cardboard.

Current stars like Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and Jack Flaherty continue to have their talents preserved in Topps flagship issues and various high-end products. As one of baseball’s most storied franchises, hundreds of talented players have cemented their legacies not just on the field, but through their iconic cardboard representations over more than a century in the hobby. Few teams can rival the Cardinals’ sustained baseball card history.

1994 UPPER DECK BASEBALL VALUABLE CARDS

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The 1994 Upper Deck baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable issues in the modern era of collectible trading cards. While not the first high-end licensed sports card set, the 1994 Upper Deck cards helped usher in a boom in popularity and heightened customer expectations for quality that changed the business model of the entire industry. Within this historic 722-card base set released in 1994 are several extremely rare and desirably positioned rookie cards that have attained legendary status among collectors and enabled owners to realize substantial financial gains over the decades.

Perhaps the most famous and acclaimed rookie card from the 1994 Upper Deck set is that of Cleveland Indians’ shortstop Omar Vizquel. The Venezuelan-born defensive wizard made his MLB debut at age 22 in 1993 and went on to play for 24 seasons, winning 11 Gold Glove Awards and 3 Platinum Gloves while establishing himself as one of the best fielding shortstops in baseball history. His spectacular skills were on full display from the very beginning of his career. Within the 1994 Upper Deck set, Vizquel’s rookie card can be found in the coveted rainbow foil parallel subset, limited to only 1 card per box on average. Maintaining a perfect 10 centering and surface grade, high-end PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 examples of Vizquel’s rare rainbow foil rookie have sold for upwards of $20,000 in recent years.

Another rookie card that skyrocketed in value thanks to an incredible playing career is pitcher Tom Glavine’s 1994 Upper Deck issue. A two-time Cy Young Award winner and 305-game winner during a distinguished 22-year MLB tenure spent mostly with the Atlanta Braves, Glavine dazzled on the mound from the start. His traditionally styled rookie card can be found amongst the base cards in the 1994 set and maintains demand from both Braves and baseball card collectors alike. High-graded PSA 9 and BGS 9 examples in this classic design typically sell in the $800-1500 range. The true gems are PSA 10 specimens, of which there are believed to be fewer than 10 in existence, commanding auction prices up to $12,000.

While pitcher Jeff Bagwell didn’t debut until the following season in 1991, collectors recognized his budding star power upon release of the 1994 Upper Deck set featuring his rookie card amongst the base issues. A career .297 hitter and 4-time NL MVP Award winner who spent his entire 15-year career with the Houston Astros, Bagwell went on to have a Hall of Fame career. His traditionally styled rookie remains one of the single most iconic and valuable cards from the 1994 set. High-grade PSA 10 and BGS 9.5+ specimens routinely sell for $3,000-5,000. But the higher the quality, the more astute collectors are willing to spend, with a perfect PSA 10 example selling for an astounding $23,500 in January 2022.

Another 1994 Upper Deck rookie card with immense long-term upside potential resides within the hallowed rainbow foil parallel subset. That distinction belongs to Philadelphia Phillies’ third baseman Scott Rolen. Despite debuting the following year in 1996, Rolen’s prospect status and prodigious minor league numbers had already earned him early recognition amongst traders. An eventual 8-time Gold Glove winner and 2007 NL MVP, Rolen went on to have a stellar 17-year career. His ultrarare rainbow foil rookie from 1994, with a population of likely under 10 high-grade PSA 10 or BGS 9.5+ specimens known, brings collector frenzy and bids well into the five-figure range whenever one surfaces on the secondary market.

While rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Vizquel, Glavine, Bagwell and Rolen understandably top the value charts, savvy collectors also appreciate key stars from the mid-1990s represented in the 1994 Upper Deck set. For example, pitcher Pedro Martinez’s base rookie is prominently featured amongst the main issues. The future 3-time Cy Young Award winner and pitching sensation of the late 1990s had already begun turning heads in the Expos organization that year. Some consider Martinez’s traditional base rookie from 1994 to be one of the most aesthetically appealing designs ever produced. High-end PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 specimens regularly sell between $1,000-2000, with seven-figure raw copies still attainable.

Another highly valuable card in the 1994 Upper Deck set resides outside the traditional rookie card realm and instead represents the superstardom of slugger Ken Griffey Jr. Having already won back-to-back AL MVP Awards and set a then-record contract in the early 1990s, Griffey was the undisputed face of baseball. Expressing his dominance and box office pull is the glistening Griffey Jr. Gold Refractor parallel limited to only 1 per every three cases of 1994 Upper Deck. Even in sub-gem condition, examples of this legendary insert card trend upwards of $15,000. An untouched PSA 10 specimen, the finest known pop 2, last sold for a stunning $106,250 in August 2021.

The 1994 Upper Deck baseball set is perhaps the single most important release in the modern trading card boom due to unprecedented production quality and introduction of star rookies and parallels that would transform the memorabilia industry. Nearly 30 years later, valuable cards within featuring Vizquel, Glavine, Bagwell, Rolen, Martinez, and Griffey continue driving collector enthusiasm and six-figure market prices. For seasoned investors and newcomers alike, high-grade copies represent sound long-term holdings able to both fulfill nostalgia and grow substantially in value.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1908 ONLINE

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The earliest known baseball card price guide was published in 1908 by Jefferson Burdick. His American Card Catalog and Price Guide was one of the first publications dedicated entirely to tracking the values of baseball cards and other sports cards from the late 19th century.

At the time, most baseball cards were included in packs of cigarettes or other tobacco products as promotional incentives. Brands like Allen & Ginter, Old Judge, and Sweet Caporal issued some of the earliest baseball cards between 1886-1905, featuring photographs of star players from that era. With the sport of baseball rapidly growing in popularity across the United States in the early 1900s, Burdick recognized a market for collectors who wanted to understand the rarity and value of the cards in their growing collections.

Burdick’s price guide was just 16 pages and listed pricing information for only several hundred of the oldest and most sought-after baseball cards from the 1880s and 1890s tobacco era. Many of the early stars of the National League like Cap Anson, Cy Young, and Honus Wagner had cards valued between $1-5, which would be around $30-150 in today’s dollars when accounting for inflation. This first guide helped establish the earliest marketplace for baseball cards as collectors.

In the following decades, the popularity of baseball cards continued rising alongside the sport. Newer card sets were issued by companies in the 1920s like American Caramel, Goudey Gum, and Play Ball Cigarettes. The Great Depression of the 1930s slowed baseball card production for a few years, but the hobby rebounded strongly in the late 1930s as the economy recovered. By this time, annual sets were being released by companies seeking to capitalize on the growing collector base.

As more and more new baseball cards entered the marketplace, the need for updated pricing information grew. In 1952, the Guide Book of United States Coins was first published by R.S. Yeoman, featuring valuations for not just coins but also early baseball cards up through the 1930s. This publication helped expand the collector audience beyond just baseball card aficionados.

The modern era of baseball card price guides began in the 1960s. The era saw an explosion in the popularity of the hobby, driven by the rise of affordable wax pack cards found in supermarkets and corner stores. Topps dominated production and released annual sets featuring the biggest stars of MLB. With so many new collectors, pricing guides became essential.

In 1960, the Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards was first published under the Foley Publishing banner. This seminal guide listed values for cards all the way back to the tobacco issues of the 1880s up through the most recent 1959 Topps set. It helped collectors understand the rarity and value of their growing collections in an easy-to-use format. For the next 50+ years, the Standard Catalog would be updated annually and become the most trusted name in the price guide industry.

As the 1960s progressed, other notable guides entered the scene like the Beckett Baseball Card Monthly Price Guide (1968). Beckett provided timely monthly updates on the rapidly changing values in the collector marketplace. Their focus on the hobby’s most recent cards set them apart from annual comprehensive guides like Standard Catalog.

The 1970s saw the hobby reach new heights of popularity, driven by the rise of sports card conventions and the emergence of the first serious adult collectors. Iconic sets like Topps’ 1972 and 1975 issues featured the biggest names in the game on the cards. This increased demand led to price guide competition.

In 1972, Padre Publishing launched The Trader Speaks price guide edited by Robert Lifson, offering collector-focused content beyond just prices. Bowman Gum also published their own guide in the 1970s as they challenged Topps for card production dominance. Through the 1970s and 1980s, price guides from Beckett, Padre, and Standard Catalog jockeyed for collector mindshare with timely updates and expanded content.

The late 1980s saw the first “card boom” as speculation took hold. Prices skyrocketed, especially for vintage cards of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and other early stars. The hype was further fueled by the debut of the premium sports card company Upper Deck in 1988. In response, price guides expanded coverage of newly valuable vintage and modern rookie cards to keep up.

The bubble soon burst in the early 1990s as the marketplace was flooded with overproduced modern cards. Values crashed and the industry contracted, though the hobby maintained its dedicated collector base. In the lean years that followed, the “Big 3” price guides of Beckett, Padre, and Standard Catalog endured to provide vital pricing information to the community during the reset.

By the late 1990s, a second sports card boom was underway and the rise of the internet transformed the industry. Online auction sites like eBay allowed collectors worldwide to easily buy and sell cards. Beckett was quick to embrace the digital age, launching Beckett.com in 1998 to provide online guides, news, and auction price tracking to complement their print offerings.

Today, while print guides still have dedicated followings, most collectors rely on digital resources to track the rapidly changing values set in the online marketplace. Beckett remains the dominant guide, while competitors like PSA and Cardboard Connection also provide respected pricing data. With new stars, sets, and collecting trends emerging, price guides continue to play a crucial role in the multibillion-dollar sports card industry and hobby. They have been documenting the history and value of our favorite players since the very earliest cardboard issues over 130 years ago.

BASEBALL CARDS LAS VEGAS

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Baseball cards have been a popular collectible item for over a century, with kids and adults alike enjoying searching through packs of cards in hopes of finding rare and valuable players. In recent decades, the hobby of baseball card collecting has seen a resurgence in popularity. One city that has embraced baseball card fandom is Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas is a city known for gambling, entertainment, and over-the-top experiences. It has also developed into a hotspot for the business of sports collectibles and memorabilia. Several large baseball card and memorabilia conventions are held in Las Vegas every year, drawing collectors from around the world. Some of the biggest names in the industry also have a significant presence in Las Vegas through retail shops, auction houses, and more.

One of the first major baseball card shops to set up in Las Vegas was The Sports Card Shop, which opened its doors in 1988. Located just off the Las Vegas Strip, the store helped fuel the growing interest in the city as a destination for collectors. Throughout the 1990s, more shops began popping up as the hobby boomed. Goldin Auctions, one of the premier sports memorabilia auction houses, opened an office in Las Vegas in 1999.

By the early 2000s, Las Vegas was firmly established as a mecca for baseball card collectors and dealers. The National Sports Collectors Convention, one of the largest and most prestigious annual hobby events, began hosting a large annual show in Las Vegas. Drawing tens of thousands of attendees each year, the NSCC Las Vegas show transformed the city into the epicenter of the sports collectibles universe for several days each summer.

In the following years, even more conventions and shows began calling Las Vegas home. The Baseball Card & Memorabilia Show, the National Sports Collectors Convention Winter Show, and various regional and local shows all take place in Las Vegas hotels and convention centers. These events bring collectors, dealers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts together for buying, selling, networking, and educational programming. Some conventions even host special autograph signings with legendary players.

Beyond just the big conventions, Las Vegas is home to numerous brick-and-mortar shops catering to collectors. Along with The Sports Card Shop, multi-location chains like The Topps Company and Steel City Collectibles have outposts in the city. Independent local stores like The Card Collector and Vegas Card Runners give collectors a place to peruse inventory and trade with other hobbyists year-round. Las Vegas has also become a destination for high-end sports memorabilia and rare baseball card auctions.

Collectors come to Las Vegas from around the world to search for deals at conventions, check out the local shops, and participate in big-ticket auctions. Many stay in Las Vegas for multiple days, enjoying the city’s other attractions in addition to immersing themselves in baseball card culture. Some collectors even make semi-regular pilgrimages to Las Vegas to replenish supplies or hunt for something special to add to their collections.

The city’s status as an entertainment capital with many hotels and attractions makes it easy to plan a baseball card collecting trip around other activities. When major sports leagues hold games or tournaments in Las Vegas, related memorabilia and cards also see increased interest. The prevalence of sports betting and fantasy sports has likely contributed to the popularity of cards as well. Overall, Las Vegas satisfies collectors’ desires to blend their hobby with excitement, commerce, and immersion in a vibrant city environment.

For local collectors, Las Vegas offers a built-in community and access to events, deals, and expertise. Young collectors can get advice from industry veterans, and lifelong collectors always have opportunities to trade, show off their prized possessions, and learn about new releases. The city’s economy has also embraced the baseball card trade, with many collectors spending money on hotels, food, entertainment, and more during visits centered around their hobby.

As baseball card collecting only continues growing in popularity, Las Vegas is poised to remain one of its epicenters for both casual and serious collectors. With more and more people taking up the pastime, the city’s shops, conventions, auctions, and overall collector infrastructure will stay busy. Whether seeking a big score or simply immersing in baseball card culture, Las Vegas consistently delivers memorable experiences for fans of America’s pastime on and off the field.

BRIGHTMARE BASEBALL CARDS

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Brightmare Baseball Cards: A Colorful History

Baseball cards have long been a staple of the sport, allowing fans to collect images and statistics of their favorite players. One of the more unusual subsets of baseball cards features frightening supernatural creatures instead of human athletes. Known as “brightmare baseball cards”, these vintage cardboard collectibles depict sinister horse-like demons that supposedly play America’s pastime after dark.

Origins and Early Production

The origin of brightmare baseball cards is shrouded in mystery and legend. According to tales, the first batch was printed in 1893 by the obscure St. Louis-based Topps competitor Nighthorse Trading Card Company. As the story goes, the owner’s young daughter claimed to have witnessed a terrifying brightmare emerging from her closet one night. Inspired and disturbed by her story, he decided to design a satirical set of cards featuring these mythical “nightmare baseball players”. Only 500 packs were ever made, making individual cards extremely rare finds over a century later.

While the veracity of this founding myth is uncertain, what is clear is that brightmare cards captured the public’s imagination as novel Halloween novelties throughout the early 20th century. Several regional companies produced their own takes on the concept between 1900-1920, with designs ranging from crude pen-and-ink sketches to elaborate lithographic artworks. Common to all were sinister horse-headed figures with glowing red eyes, clad in 19th century baseball uniforms rather than the protective equipment of their era. Stats focused on bizarre abilities rather than traditional batting averages.

Golden Age of Illustration

The 1920s saw brightmare cards reach new heights of popularity as premium collectibles. National brands like Fleer and American Caramel got in on the action with lavishly detailed illustrations. One legendary set was the 1924 Fleer Brightmares, which employed expressionist painter George Bellows at the peak of his career to bring the demonic players to vivid life. His shadowy renditions of “Hellfire” Henderson pitching or “Nightgaunt” Nguyen fielding became iconic images.

As the decade progressed, brightmare cards grew even more extravagant. The 1933 Goudey set had embossed foil textures and pop-up mechanisms and is considered the pinnacle of the genre’s artistic achievement. The Great Depression took its toll and most manufacturers abandoned the expensive novelty format by the late 1930s. Only a few regional oddities emerged in the following decades before the concept faded into obscurity.

Modern Resurgence

After over half a century of being largely forgotten outside collector circles, brightmare cards saw an unexpected revival beginning in the 1990s. The emerging retro hobby of antique sports memorabilia collecting brought renewed attention to the quirky niche. Websites and books began documenting the complete histories and variations of early sets. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs sensed an opportunity and new reproductions hit the market alongside original vintage issues.

In the 2000s, a contemporary reimagining of the concept took hold. Independent artists took the basic premise of demon baseball players into edgy new directions with their own card designs. Digital illustration and printing allowed limitless experimentation. The results ranged from loving tributes to the vintage style to surreal postmodern deconstructions. A small but dedicated fanbase emerged online to trade in these modern riffs on the strange tradition.

Brightmare Baseball Today

While never achieving mainstream popularity, brightmare cards retain a devoted cult following into the 21st century. Original early sets remain the holy grails for advanced collectors, with key issues like the 1893 Nighthorse or 1933 Goudey cards valued in the tens of thousands of dollars if they surface at auction. Reproduction and modern sets also trade actively in specialized collector circles.

Events have further sustained interest, such as conventions centered around antique sports collectibles. Exhibits pairing vintage brightmare cards with the original illustrators’ fine art help demonstrate their significance in the history of baseball and Halloween pop culture memorabilia. As long as fans seek the unusual and macabre, it seems the bizarre realm of demon baseball players will continue to enchant and mystify. Whether truth or fiction, the legacy of brightmare cards is cemented in the annals of collectibles oddities.

1983 DONRUSS OVERSIZED BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1983 Donruss baseball card set is most notably known for introducing the massively popular oversized card design. At a whopping 3.5 inches by 5 inches, these cards dwarfed the standard size of cards that had been in circulation for decades. The oversized concept was truly revolutionary and helped elevate Donruss into direct competition with industry leaders Topps.

While the concept was innovative, some argued the gigantic size made the cards awkward and difficult to store or organize in traditional albums. The novelty factor skyrocketed their popularity among collectors. For many, it seemed like you got more card and more value due to the larger surface area allowing for bigger images and more stats/details compared to traditional sizes.

When released in early 1983, the set totaled 524 cards and featured all 26 Major League teams from 1982. The design scheme was simple but bold, with mostly white borders surrounding colorful team-centric photographs. Player names and positions were printed near the bottom with team logos at the top corners. Dating the set, copyright information was printed at the very bottom along with the Donruss logo.

While lacking colorful team action shots like competitors Topps, Donruss aimed to spotlight individual players with portraits against solid color backgrounds. Notable stars from the ‘82 season like Cal Ripken Jr., Fernando Valenzuela, and George Brett received highlighted treatment as standard issue cards while true “rookies” were specially designated. The oversized format allowed for large crisp images to truly pop off the card stock.

Beyond the standard player cards, the set also included managers, umpires, leaders and records cards highlighting single-season and career stats. Fan favorites like Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, and Reggie Jackson got “All-Time” highlights. Additional inserts covered the 1982 All-Star teams, playoff results and the 1982 World Series between the Cardinals and Brewers. While light on true short-prints, error cards featuring players in incorrect uniforms caused a buzz among collectors.

While the massive size drew plenty of attention, many argue the photo and design quality failed to match Topps. With smaller budgets, Donruss cards lacked the splashy action shots and creative concepts Topps employed. Still, the novelty and affordability drew in new collectors which was the intention. The size made cards more noticeable in pack searches which likely boosted casual sales.

Grading scale pioneer PSA came about in the mid-80s, so unslabbed 1983 Donruss remain plentiful in raw mint condition and are affordable for most collections. Higher grade specimens still command value but are much more available than the scarce vintage rookie cards from the 1950s that can fetch thousands. Top rookie cards like Cal Ripken Jr.’s are among the most coveted from the set in PSA 10 Gem Mint.

In the decades since, the 1983 Donruss set remains one of the most identifiable and iconic releases in the hobby due to its revolutionary oversized dimensions. While some argue they lacked the photographic quality of competitors, Donruss succeeded in drawing a new generation of collectors and innovative a design still influential today. Variations like the Ryne Sandberg ‘trampoline man’ error and the scarce managers/umpires subset have become much sought after by completionists. This pioneering release set the stage for Donruss to become a heavyweight player for years to come.

The long term impact of the 1983 oversized design can still be felt decades later. Examples include “Odyssey” sets from the early 2000s that brought back the large size concept along with modern giant card releases embedded with on-card autographs. The size revolutionized the visual experience and hands-on collecting aspect beyond safely storing cards in penny sleeves and albums. Donruss left an indelible mark on the hobby by following their instincts and breaking the size mold back in the early 1980s at a time when the baseball card market was exploding in popularity.

In the ensuing years, Donruss continued pushing the envelope by introducing innovative traits like enclosed tattoos and logos under the cardboard in their 1984 and 1985 sets. It was the 1983 oversized issue that first put Donruss on the map and in the conversation with industry pioneer Topps. Whether fans prefer the mammoth size is still debated today, but no one can argue it didn’t spark attention and collectors interest when first released nearly 40 years ago. This milestone release remains a defining moment not just for Donruss, but for the entire baseball card collecting world.

BASEBALL CARDS UNOPENED BOXES

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Baseball card collecting is a multi-billion dollar hobby enjoyed by people of all ages. While individual cards can be worth thousands, some of the most valuable items in the collecting world are unopened boxes of baseball cards from years past. Finding an unopened box in pristine condition from the 1950s, 60s, 70s or earlier can yield a treasure trove of mint cards worth a small fortune.

The first mass-produced baseball cards came in the late 1880s as inserts included in packages of cigarettes. It was the post World War 2 era that saw the hobby truly take off. In the 1950s, Topps gained the exclusive license to produce baseball cards and inserted them in stick of gum. They would produce several different series each year in wax-paper wrapped packs containing 5 cards that sold for a dime or quarter. These early Topps sets from the 1950s like 1952, 1953, 1954 are among the most coveted by collectors today. Finding a sealed, unsearched case or box of these early Topps issues would be an incredible find.

In the 1960s, Topps continued to be the lone major baseball card producer but competition would emerge in the following decades. The 1960 Topps set is also considered a highly valuable vintage issue. But it was in the late 1960s that the hobby started gaining more widespread popularity. In 1965, Topps produced the first major size increase for cards, switching from a standard 51⁄2 x 31⁄2 size to the larger 61⁄2 x 31⁄2 format that is still used today. They also greatly increased production numbers to meet growing demand. This makes unopened 1960s Topps boxes more obtainable than their 1950s predecessors, but still exceptionally rare and valuable finds.

The 1970s saw the emergence of competition for Topps as both Fleer and Donruss entered the baseball card market. This sparked the first “card war” as companies sought innovative designs and included new extras to entice collectors to purchase their product over rivals. The 1973 Topps set is widely considered one of the most iconic issues of all-time due to the design and included a short biography on the back of each card for the first time. Unsearched 1973 Topps boxes can sell for well over $10,000. The late 1970s also saw oddball issues emerge from smaller companies that were short lived but gained cult followings, like 1977 Hostess and 1979 Red Man.

In the 1980s, the card boom was in full swing as speculation and investment took hold. Production numbers skyrocketed and new companies like Score and Leaf jumped in. The early 1980s are regarded by many as the “junk wax” era when production outstripped demand. Sealed wax boxes from this period can still hold value, especially for the more scarce regional issues. The upper tier rookies from this era also maintain strong collector interest, such as the stars of the day like Donruss Roger Clemens or Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr. card.

The baseball card market experienced major fluctuations and crashes in the late 80s and 90s before largely stabilizing. While individual junk wax era cards hold little value, complete unsearched sets can still appeal to set builders. The refractors and parallels that emerged in the 1990s Upper Deck sets also gain collector interest. In the late 90s and 2000s, manufacturers released incredible high-end issues aimed at adult collectors like Finest, Ultimate Collection and Archives that included rare serial numbered parallels and autographs. Unopened cases of these sets command premium prices today.

In the modern era, licensed baseball cards have become even more specialized with products tailored towards certain levels of collectors. Retail boxes are designed for fun while high-end hobby boxes offer chase cards. Memorabilia cards containing game used pieces of uniforms or signed autographs have become standard. Popular modern parallels like printing plates, 1/1s, and gold refractors drive interest in unopened cases and boxes. Sealed wax boxes and unsearched cases from within the past 20 years can gain value more rapidly as well depending on the included hits.

For those looking to invest, unopened vintage boxes present the lowest risk option. Finding one in pristine sealed condition is extremely difficult, but it ensures all the cards are protected and increases the odds of scoring valuable gems. Boxes are easier to authenticate and grade compared to loose packs or wax wrappers. Third-party grading also provides certification that enhances a box’s desirability. Top vintage baseball card sets from the 1950s-1970s in sealed boxes can appreciate 10-20% annually on average.

In today’s market, a sealed 1948-1949 Leaf Baseball box in Gem Mint condition would command well over $100,000. An unopened and intact case of 1984 Topps would bring around $5,000. But common sense dictates to only purchase unopened boxes from reputable auction houses with a solid return policy in case of resealing. Patience is also key, as the right vintage box could take years to surface. For serious collectors and investors, an unsearched sealed box from history can provide a lifetime of enjoyment and appreciation.

Unopened boxes of baseball cards offer a unique opportunity in the collecting world. For vintage wax boxes pre-1970, they provide the only way to experience the original packaging and thrill of the hunt without risking damage to the enclosed mint cards inside. Later era boxes allow set building or chasing hit cards. With patience and diligence, the right sealed box can deliver a potential gold mine of valuable vintage cards or a complete high-end set worth far more than retail price. Few other hobby items can match the historical significance and potential investment returns of an unsearched sealed box of baseball cards from the past.

BEST 2020 BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2020 baseball season was unlike any other due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Major League Baseball games were played in mostly empty stadiums, the collectible baseball card industry continued to thrive. Here are some of the top baseball cards released in 2020 that any collector would be excited to add to their collection:

Bowman Chrome 1st Refractors: Bowman Chrome is one of the premier baseball card products each year for its eye-catching refractors. The 2020 release featured several top prospects like Bobby Witt Jr., Emerson Hancock, and Jarred Kelenic that captured the hobby’s attention. Witt’s rookie refractors in particular skyrocketed in value after his impressive MLB debut in 2022. These colorful refractors from Bowman Chrome remain some of the most sought-after modern rookie cards on the market.

Topps Chrome Update Series Rookies: The Topps Chrome Update Series is released each fall and provides the first Topps Chrome cards for many top rookies who made their MLB debuts that season. Some of the biggest rookie hits from 2020 Update included Luis Robert, Alec Bohm, and Dustin May. Robert especially had a breakout rookie campaign that made his Topps Chrome cards extremely valuable. This set continues to be mined each year for affordable rookie refractors of future stars.

Topps Finest Patrick Mahomes Patch Auto: While not a baseball card per se, the inclusion of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Topps Finest created huge buzz in 2020. Mahomes’ auto patch parallel /5 pulled focus as one of the rarest football cards around at the time. Its enormous price tag showed there is still strong demand for high-end memorabilia cards even in the midst of the pandemic.

Topps Transcendent Collection Mike Trout Patch Auto: At the other end of the spectrum, Topps released its ultra-high-end “Transcendent Collection” featuring patches and autographs of the game’s biggest stars. Naturally, any Trout card would garner attention but his exquisite 1/1 patch auto truly captured the imagination of collectors. Cards like this reaffirmed Trout’s position atop the modern game and as one of the most valuable players in any sport to own a card of.

Bowman’s Best Autographs: While Bowman Chrome and the base Bowman set garnered lots of attention for prospects, Bowman’s Best provided the highest concentration of lucrative autographs. Short prints like Nico Hoerner and Gavin Lux gained collector interest and their on-card signatures preserved good value despite the sheer number of autograph cards in the set. Overall Bowman’s Best delivered some of the best vintage-style design and memorabilia cards in the 2020 release calendar.

Topps Series 2 Juan Soto Rainbow Foil Variation: Topps Series 2 is always a fun release with its player roster updates and extended photo and uniform variations. In 2020, the Rainbow Foil parallel became a huge hit thanks to a Juan Soto card that pulled in massive amounts of attention. Soto has emerged as one of the game’s most popular young stars and this hyper-colorful refractor reinforced that following. It became a must-have for any Soto PC.

Topps Chrome Alex Kirilloff Auto: While not a true “rookie” in 2020, Alex Kirilloff’s prospect hype had been building for several years in the Minnesota Twins system. When he finally reached the bigs in 2021, collectors remembered cards like his gorgeous Topps Chrome auto from the year prior. Its on-card signature and refractory technology combined to make it both a great baseball card and potential long-term investment for those who recognized Kirilloff’s abilities before he debuted.

Topps Inception Mike Trout Patch Auto 1/1: Similar to the high-end Transcendent Collection, Topps Inception is known for pushing memorabilia cards to new levels. Its Trout patch 1/1 featuring patches from three of his iconic jerseys truly stood out, even alongside other ultra-rare prospects in the set. While extremely expensive, cards like this highlighted Trout’s unparalleled status as the current face of the sport.

Topps Big League Ronald Acuña Jr. Patch Auto: While Acuña missed much of the 2020 season due to injury, his popularity and production when healthy made any special card highly sought-after. Topps Big League provided one of the best Acuña patch autographs around that year in an on-card signature paired with multiple jersey swatches. For those wanting a true game-used memorabilia card of one of the game’s brightest young stars, this Acuña stood out as a must-own.

Topps Allen & Ginter Miguel Cabrera Mini Bat: While not a true “card” per se, the memorabilia mini bats in Allen & Ginter are always a big hit. In 2020, one of the most popular picks was a Miguel Cabrera bat that paid homage to his outstanding career. Even as he aged, Cabrera remained one of the most accomplished right-handed hitters of his generation. His mini bat served as a tribute to his legacy that collectors loved adding to their collections.

Topps Chrome Gold Label Nolan Arenado /50: Topps Chrome Gold Label parallels are some of the most visually stunning in the hobby. Featuring full-bleed photographs on gold-colored stock, they stand out alongside any collection. Arenado had long been one of the game’s most consistent third basemen, making any scarce parallel like his /50 from 2020 Chrome a true prize. Between his talent and the beauty of the card design itself, it became a highly sought trophy card.

While the 2020 season had its fair share of challenges, the collectible baseball card industry still delivered many amazing cards featuring the game’s current stars and future prospects. Whether targeting rookies, parallels, autographs or memorabilia cards, there was no shortage of exciting new cardboard to discover. Cards like these from 2020 will remain popular with collectors for years to come.

KEN GRIFFEY SENIOR BASEBALL CARDS

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Ken Griffey Sr. had a 19-year career in Major League Baseball as an outfielder, primarily playing for the Cincinnati Reds from 1973 to 1981 and briefly for the Yankees in 1982. While his son, Ken Griffey Jr., would go on to have a far more acclaimed career and become a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Griffey Sr. had his moments of excellence as well during his playing days. He made one All-Star team and was a solid contributor for many years for the Big Red Machine of the 1970s. As a result of his MLB tenure, Griffey Sr. has his fair share of baseball cards that collectors still seek out today.

One of Griffey Sr.’s earliest notable baseball cards comes from his rookie season of 1973 with the Reds. That year, Topps released Griffey Sr. in their standard baseball card set in card number 610. The photo on the card shows Griffey from his time with the Reds’ AA affiliate, the Tulsa Oilers, as he had not yet made his MLB debut at the time the 1973 Topps cards were produced. Still, it marked Griffey Sr.’s first appearance in the set and captured his early professional career before reaching the major leagues. Examples of this Griffey Sr. rookie card inNear Mint to Mint condition can fetch over $100 today.

In 1974, after establishing himself on the Reds’ roster, Griffey Sr. received better exposure in that year’s Topps set. His 1974 card shows him in a Reds uniform and is numbered at 492. This marked Griffey Sr.’s first “true” rookie card issued after he had MLB playing time. The card captured the lefty swinging outfielder poised at the plate ready to take a cut. Examples in good condition can be acquired for $10-20, with higher grades reaching $50-75 given it documented Griffey Sr.’s rookie season in the bigs.

Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Griffey Sr. continued to be prominently featured in the annual Topps sets as he was a regular contributor for the Big Red Machine. The 1975 through 1981 Topps Griffey Sr. cards similarly portray him in a Reds uniform and increase slightly in value the closer they get to his 1977 All-Star season. But overall, most are relatively affordable for collectors even in higher grades.

Beyond Topps, the other major baseball card producer in the 1970s and early 1980s was Bowman. They also included Griffey Sr. in their yearly sets. The standout among his Bowman cards is arguably the 1976 issue, which is considered one of the more visually appealing vintage Griffey Sr. cards. It shows him confidently rounding third base heading for home plate. This scarce card has been steadily increasing in value over the past decade, with high-grade examples now selling in the $100-200 range.

Griffey Sr.’s final season playing regularly was in 1981 with Cincinnati. Not only was this the last year of his tenure with the Reds, but it was also the final season of the original Bowman and Topps runs before both companies lost the baseball card license. As a result, the 1981 Griffey Sr. cards from each holder are highly coveted by collectors seeking “last of” types of issues from the 1970s-era of the business. Both can reach $50-75 even in played condition.

After wrapping up his Reds career, Griffey Sr. had brief stints with the Yankees in 1982 and White Sox in 1983. His time in pinstripes netted him cards in that year’s Donruss and Topps Traded sets numbered to his Yankees tenure. By this point in his career Griffey Sr. saw diminished playing time. So these later vintage cards are far more obtainable for collectors on modest budgets.

In the modern era, Griffey Sr. hasn’t had any new mainstream card issues aside from the occasional vintage reprint. In 2019, Topps released players in their Archives Signature Series line with Ken Griffey Sr. receiving an autographed card limited to only 25 copies. Unsurprisingly, given the ultra-low print run, PSA/BGS Gem Mint 10 examples of this prestige product have realized over $1,000 at auction.

While Griffey Sr.’s son would eclipse him fame-wise through the 1990s and 2000s, the elder Griffey’s place in baseball history is cemented not just through his baseball reference stats but in the vintage cards produced during his playing career as well. Spanning the 1970s prime for Topps and Bowman, Griffey Sr.’s cards provide a visual timeline of his contributions for the Big Red Machine and a unique connection to one of the most famous father-son duos in the sport’s annals. For collectors, his cardboard offers affordable opportunities to accrue a complete vintage Reds/Bowman/Topps run while respecting budgets.